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Mumbai Airport Wingtip Collision: DGCA Probes Air India & IndiGo Incident

The DGCA has initiated an inquiry after the wingtips of an Air India A320 and an IndiGo A320 came into contact while taxying at Mumbai Airport on Tuesday night. Both aircraft were subsequently moved to their bays for a thorough safety inspection. This ground incident follows a separate DGCA rejoinder clarifying a reported fuel switch issue on an Air India Boeing 787 aircraft from January. Officials are on-site assessing the collision, with further details pending.

Key Points: DGCA Probes Mumbai Airport Wingtip Collision Between Air India & IndiGo

  • DGCA begins inquiry
  • Wingtip collision during taxying
  • Both aircraft were A320s
  • Aircraft moved for inspection
  • Follows recent Air India 787 switch issue
2 min read

DGCA begins inquiry after Air India, IndiGo aircraft suffer wingtip collision during taxying at Mumbai Airport

DGCA investigates after an Air India A320 and an IndiGo A320 suffered a wingtip collision while taxying at Mumbai Airport. No injuries reported.

"During taxying, the right wingtips of both aircraft came into contact. - DGCA Officials"

Mumbai, February 4

The DGCA has begun its inuquiry into an accident involving wing tips of two taxying aircraft at the Mumbai Airport on Tuesday night. An Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320, came into contact during ground movement, as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

According to officials, Air India flight AI2732, operating an A320 aircraft with registration VT-TYF, was taxying from C1 towards M4 for departure when an IndiGo A320 aircraft, registered as VT-IFV, was taxying on arrival and joining taxying B1. During taxying, the right wingtips of both aircraft came into contact.

Following the incident, both aircraft were taken back to their respective bays for inspection. Officials from the DGCA's Mumbai office have reached the site to assess the situation and conduct further checks. Further details are awaited.

A day earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released a rejoinder on Tuesday regarding the purported malfunction of the fuel cut-off switch on Air India Boeing B787-8 aircraft VT-ANX, which was identified by the crew on two occasions on January 1.

They clarified that an external force was applied in the wrong direction, resulting in the switch from "RUN to CUTOFF".

"Both left and right switches were checked and found satisfactory, with the locking tooth/pawl fully seated and not slipping from RUN to CUTOFF. When full force was applied parallel to the base plate, the switch remained secure. However, applying external force in an incorrect direction caused the switch to move easily from RUN to CUTOFF, due to the angular base plate allowing slip when pressed improperly with finger or thumb," the rejoinder said.

It comes after an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft was grounded after a pilot reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch.

An Air India spokesperson said that one of its pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, and the matter has been communicated to DGCA, the country's aviation regulator.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Mumbai airport is always so congested! Taxiways are narrow and the traffic is insane, especially during peak hours. While the pilots/ground crew are ultimately responsible, the infrastructure needs an upgrade. This was an accident waiting to happen.
A
Aman W
Thank God it was just a wingtip contact during taxiing and not something more serious mid-air. Kudos to the DGCA for acting swiftly. The investigation report will be crucial to prevent such "ground incursions". Safety first, always.
S
Sarah B
Flying from Mumbai next week and this news is not comforting. Hoping the DGCA inquiry is transparent and leads to concrete corrective actions, not just a report that sits on a shelf. Indian aviation has grown fast, but safety protocols must keep pace.
V
Vikram M
The timing with the 787 fuel switch clarification is interesting. Feels like they're trying to manage the narrative. Let's focus on the ground collision - was it a communication error between cockpit and ATC? Or a procedural lapse? We need answers.
K
Karthik V
As someone in the aviation industry, ground handling at major Indian airports is under immense pressure with tight schedules. Fatigue and workload might be factors. DGCA should also look into crew duty hours and ground support staffing. Just my two paise.

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