An Akasa Air aircraft and a SpiceJet plane sustained damage after coming into contact at Delhi airport on Thursday afternoon, officials said, adding that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
Both Boeing 737 aircraft have been grounded following the mishap.
The DGCA further said that the concerned air traffic controller and SpiceJet pilots have been de-rostered pending a detailed probe.
Aircraft collision at Delhi airport under DGCA probe
Officials said the Akasa Air aircraft was stationary on the taxiway and preparing for take-off, while the SpiceJet aircraft was taxiing towards its parking stand when the incident occurred around 2.15 pm at Terminal 1 of Delhi airport.
The Akasa Air flight was scheduled to operate QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad, while the SpiceJet aircraft had arrived from Leh after operating SG 124, they added.
DGCA details damage to SpiceJet and Akasa aircraft
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the winglet of SpiceJet’s Boeing 737-700 aircraft (VT-SLB), while taxiing into the allocated parking bay after operating SG 124 (Leh–Delhi), came into contact with the horizontal tail surface (HTS) of an Akasa Air Boeing 737 aircraft positioned on the apron after pushback for its Delhi–Hyderabad sector.
The DGCA said the impact resulted in damage to the right-hand winglet of the SpiceJet aircraft and the horizontal tail surface of the Akasa Air aircraft. A detailed investigation is underway.
ATC and pilots off-rostered pending inquiry
In an updated statement, the aviation watchdog said the concerned air traffic controller and the SpiceJet pilots involved have been off-rostered pending inquiry.
Akasa Air aircraft returns to bay; passengers safe
Akasa Air said its aircraft operating flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad was required to return to the bay after the incident. Preliminary information suggests the aircraft was stationary when contact occurred, the airline said.
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew were safely disembarked. It added that relevant authorities have been informed and the matter is under investigation.
SpiceJet aircraft grounded at Delhi airport
SpiceJet said its Boeing 737-700 aircraft was involved in a ground occurrence while taxiing at Delhi airport, resulting in damage to its right winglet and the left-hand horizontal stabiliser of another aircraft belonging to a different airline. The aircraft has been grounded at Delhi.
Officials, citing preliminary inputs, said the wings of both aircraft came into contact on the taxiway. Details regarding the number of passengers onboard the two aircraft were not immediately available.
(With Agency inputs)