Incident on IndiGo flight: Tail strikes runway during wet landing in Mumbai

Incident on IndiGo flight: Tail strikes runway during wet landing in Mumbai

IndiGo's Airbus A321 Suffers Tail Strike in Mumbai, Undergoes Investigation

IndiGo, one of India's largest airlines, has faced another tail-strike incident on its Airbus A321 aircraft at Mumbai airport. This is the latest in a series of similar incidents that the airline's fleet has encountered in the past two years.

During a low-altitude go-around, initiated due to unfavorable weather conditions, the tail of the IndiGo Airbus A321 plane touched the runway. This maneuver is a standard safety procedure performed close to the runway to avoid unsafe landings by initiating a climb for another landing attempt.

Low-altitude go-arounds are usually flown at low altitude in high workload conditions, requiring quick and proficient pilot action. The decision to go around should be made early if something isn't right—often recommended by about 500 feet above ground level (AGL). Go-arounds are a normal and safe part of flight operations—not a failure but a prudent safety maneuver.

The tail strike can lead to structural damage to the rear fuselage, ranging from minor scrapes and cracks to damage of critical components like the pressure bulkhead. This incident at Mumbai airport can have serious consequences for the plane, potentially leading to significant damage.

In less than a year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation grounded IndiGo pilots and launched a probe following a tail-strike incident on a Delhi-Bengaluru flight. In mid-2023, IndiGo was fined Rs 30 lakh after the airline suffered four tail strike incidents on its A321 aircraft in the span of six months. Two pilots of IndiGo were suspended in 2023 for a tail-strike incident at Ahmedabad airport.

Following the incident, the IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft will undergo necessary checks, repairs, and obtain regulatory clearance before resuming operations. The aviation regulator is currently investigating the incident.

It is worth noting that IndiGo was previously fined Rs 1.75 lakh for providing an unhygienic, dirty, and stained seat to a passenger, although this incident is not directly related to the tail-strike issue.

This seventh tail strike incident faced by IndiGo's Airbus A321 fleet is a recurring issue that the airline will need to address to ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers and maintain the trust of the aviation regulator.

1. Despite being fined for providing unhygienic conditions in the past, the focus for IndiGo currently lies in addressing a recurring issue of tail strikes on its Airbus A321 fleet, a concern that has been highlighted by several incidents over the past two years.
2. The aviation industry, including IndiGo, faced a challenging year as low-altitude go-arounds became more common due to weather conditions and the need for proficient pilot action, with the airline experiencing multiple tail strikes on its A321 aircraft.
3. Along with handling general news, regulatory bodies, like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, have been putting immense pressure on IndiGo following a series of accidents, such as the tail strike incidents at Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad airports, which led to fines totalling Rs 30 lakh and the suspension of two pilots.
4. In addition to the air transportation sector, the finance industry has been keeping a close eye on IndiGo, whose ability to maintain passenger safety and regulatory compliance affects its financial standing and market position, especially considering the high competition within the Indian aviation industry.
5. While investigations are ongoing following the tail strike incident at Mumbai airport, comments from industry experts suggest that improvements in pilot training and air traffic control communications could significantly reduce the likelihood of tail strikes during low-altitude go-arounds, improving the overall safety record within the aviation sector.

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