Air India Flight nearly experienced a catastrophe, according to KC Venugopal, but the airline refutes these claims.
Air India Flight AI2455: A Close Call or Precautionary Measures?
On August 10, Air India Flight AI2455 from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi was diverted to Chennai as a precaution due to a suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions. The flight, carrying several MPs along with other passengers, encountered heavy turbulence after takeoff and experienced a "frighteningly close to tragedy" moment, according to Congress MP K C Venugopal, who was onboard.
Venugopal, the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, described the incident as a near collision with another aircraft on the runway, a heart-stopping moment when the plane nearly landed on a runway occupied by another aircraft before aborting and landing safely on the second try. He urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Ministry of Civil Aviation to investigate the incident for accountability.
However, Air India's official response emphasized that the diversion was precautionary and the go-around during the first landing attempt was performed on ATC instructions, not due to a near-collision with another aircraft on the runway. The airline regrets any inconvenience caused by the diversion and subsequent delay and maintains that pilots followed standard operating procedures throughout the flight.
Another plane leaving the same runway in Chennai reported suspected foreign object debris (FOD), prompting a go-around during the initial landing approach. The flight safely landed at Chennai and held over the city to lose weight before landing normally.
While Venugopal's account highlights perceived operational lapses needing investigation, Air India asserts the flight crew acted skillfully within safety norms and that no actual runway collision risk occurred. The aircraft has been back in operation since the incident.
Summary:
| Aspect | K C Venugopal’s Account | Air India’s Response | |------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Reason for diversion | Suspected technical fault | Suspected technical issue & poor weather | | Turbulence | Unprecedented turbulence after takeoff | Acknowledged turbulent conditions | | Near-landing collision | Near collision with aircraft on runway | Go-around as per ATC instructions, no collision risk | | Safety handling | Saved by pilot skill and luck | Pilots followed standard procedures | | Call for investigation | Yes, urgent investigation requested | No dispute on investigation but emphasize procedure compliance |
The landing at Chennai was a "scary experience" for dozens of passengers, as per Venugopal, and Chennai was preferred over Bengaluru due to clear weather conditions. Air India dismisses the idea of a near-crash, stating that the diversion and maneuvering were routine safety measures.
- The incident involving Air India Flight AI2455, during which several MPs and other passengers experienced heavy turbulence and a near-collision with another aircraft on the runway, has sparked calls for investigations in the realm of politics, specifically from Congress MP K C Venugopal.
- In the realm of finance and industry, Air India maintains that the diversion of Flight AI2455 was a precautionary measure due to a suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions, and that the flight crew followed standard operating procedures throughout the flight.
- The close call between Air India Flight AI2455 and another aircraft on the runway is also a case of interest in the realm of crime and justice, with Venugopal urging the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Ministry of Civil Aviation to investigate the incident for accountability. Additionally, general news outlets are reporting on the potential operational lapses and the subsequent investigation into the incident.
