IndiGo flight gets grounded in Delhi after tail strike; DGCA launches probe
1 min read 13 Jun 2023, 01:13 PM ISTAn IndiGo A321-252NX aircraft has been grounded after experiencing a tail strike during landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
PremiumAn IndiGo aircraft was grounded at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after it experienced a tail strike during landing. The incident occurred on June 11 when the aircraft was en route from Kolkata to Delhi. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew members.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) provided details about the incident, stating that the IndiGo A321-252NX (Neo) aircraft, registered as VT-IMG, was operating flight 6E-6183 on the Kolkata-Delhi sector when the tail strike incident took place during landing at Delhi.
The statement stated, “On 11th June, IndiGo A321-252NX (Neo) aircraft VT-IMG while operating flight 6E- 6183, sector Kolkata - Delhi was involved in a tail strike while landing at Delhi. The flight was uneventful till approach to land at Delhi. During approach on runway 27, the crew felt that they floated longer than normal and initiated a go-around."
A tail strike occurs when the tail or empennage of an aircraft collides with the ground or any stationary object during take-off or landing.
The DGCA has initiated a probe to determine the exact circumstances leading to the tail strike. In the interest of safety, the aircraft has been grounded until further notice.
Prior to the incident, the flight proceeded normally until the approach to land at Delhi. However, during the approach on runway 27, the crew noticed that the aircraft was floating longer than usual, prompting them to initiate a go-around maneuver.
During the go-around, it is suspected that the tail portion of the aircraft made contact with the runway surface, resulting in the sustained damages as reported by DGCA.
In light of the incident, the operating crew has been temporarily removed from duty pending the completion of the investigation, as per the DGCA's statement.
In a separate incident, another IndiGo Airlines flight, 6E-645, had to temporarily enter Pakistan's airspace due to adverse weather conditions while flying from Amritsar to Ahmedabad on the previous Saturday.
(With inputs from ANI)