IndiGo Planes Come Close to Collision at Delhi Airport, Probe Underway

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In a concerning incident, two IndiGo aircraft came perilously close to each other while taking off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport in November 2023. The incident, which occurred on November 17, is currently under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to determine the exact circumstances and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

TCAS Averted Potential Collision

The incident was averted thanks to the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) onboard the aircraft, which alerted the pilots to the presence of another aircraft in close proximity. The TCAS system is designed to provide warnings and instructions to pilots to avoid collisions, and it played a crucial role in preventing a potential disaster.

Details of the Incident

According to the initial probe report released by AAIB, one of the IndiGo aircraft involved was an A321 scheduled to operate flight IGO 2113 from Delhi to Hyderabad. The other aircraft was an A320 VT-ISO plane set to operate flight IGO 2206 from Delhi to Raipur.

The report indicates that the closest vertical separation between the two aircraft was 400 feet, while the lateral separation was 1.2 nautical miles. At the point of closest lateral separation, which was 0.2 nautical miles, the vertical separation had increased to 800 feet. Fortunately, there were no injuries to any of the occupants on board either aircraft, and no damage was reported.

Ongoing Investigation

As part of the ongoing investigation, AAIB has taken several steps to gather information and analyze the incident. These include downloading data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder for further analysis. Additionally, manuals related to operations were obtained from the airline and airport, and flight folders and Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) details were secured.

The initial statements from the crew and controllers involved in the incident have also been obtained to help piece together the sequence of events. IndiGo, the airline involved in the incident, has not yet provided any official comment on the matter or the ongoing AAIB probe.

The incident involving the two IndiGo aircraft at Delhi airport highlights the importance of robust safety measures and adherence to protocols in the aviation industry. The investigation by AAIB is crucial in determining the factors that contributed to the near-collision and implementing necessary corrective actions to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.