The wings of an Air India aircraft and an IndiGo plane scraped against each other while taxiing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Tuesday. No passengers were injured in the incident, and both aircraft were taken out of service for inspection. Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reached the site soon after the incident.

Air India flight AI2732 was preparing to depart for Coimbatore, while IndiGo flight 6E 791 had just landed from Hyderabad. Both aircraft were moving slowly on the taxiway when the tips of their right wings came in contact.

Confirming the incident, Air India said in a statement, “Flight AI2732 operating from Mumbai to Coimbatore on February 3 was delayed after the aircraft scheduled to operate the service came in contact with another airline’s aircraft while waiting on the taxiway prior to take-off. The wingtips of the two aircraft made contact, resulting in damage to our aircraft’s wingtip.”

Aircraft grounded

Following the incident, the Air India aircraft was grounded for technical checks, passengers were asked to disembark, and alternate arrangements were made for their onward journey.

IndiGo also confirmed the incident in a statement. “We confirm that the wingtip of one of our aircraft operating flight 6E 791 from Hyderabad to Mumbai on February 3 came in contact with an aircraft of another airline while taxiing after landing. All passengers are safe and disembarked after parking. The aircraft is undergoing maintenance inspections.”

A statement issued by the regulatory authority, DGCA, stated that “Air India flight AI2732, operated using an A320 aircraft registered as VT TYF, was taxiing from taxiway C1 towards M4 for departure. At the same time, an IndiGo A320 aircraft registered as VT-IFV was taxiing after arrival and joining taxiway B1.”

It further stated that “during taxiing, the right wing tips of both aircraft came into contact. Both aircraft were moving at the time of the incident. Following the contact, both aircraft returned to their respective bays for inspection. No injuries were reported.”

Source: Indian Express/TOI