Close Call in Mumbai: Air India Flight Aborts High-Speed Takeoff After Another Plane is Spotted on the Active Runway

A major disaster was narrowly avoided at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after an Air India flight aborted its takeoff at high speed. The aircraft, operating as flight AI 816, was forced to halt its departure sequence when another airplane was spotted ahead on the active runway.

Thanks to the swift reaction of the flight crew, the pilots managed to abort the takeoff safely, bringing the aircraft to a stop and successfully averting a potential collision. The aircraft was supposed to take off at 9 o'clock from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai to New Delhi Airport.

Mumbai ATC Operations Under Scanner

Following the near-miss, the operations of Mumbai Air Traffic Control (ATC) have come under intense scrutiny. Investigators and aviation authorities are focusing on how two aircraft were permitted onto the same runway simultaneously. "Air India AI 816 was taking a high speed take-off which was aborted as there was already a plane on the runway." 

The incident raises serious questions about runway management protocols at one of the country's busiest aviation hubs. While the quick thinking of the pilots prevented a tragedy, the close call highlights critical vulnerabilities in coordinating ground and air movements.

IndiGo Flight Aborts Landing Amid Heavy Monsoons

Earlier in the day also A dramatic video of an IndiGo ATR aircraft aborting its landing in heavy monsoon rain has gone viral. Still, aviation experts say the manoeuvre is a routine safety procedure designed to protect passengers when weather conditions become unsafe.

The sight of an aircraft descending towards the runway before suddenly climbing back into the sky can be alarming for passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike. A video showing an IndiGo ATR aircraft performing a go-around while attempting to land at Navi Mumbai Airport during heavy monsoon rain has gone viral on social media, sparking curiosity and concern over what exactly happened.

While the manoeuvre may appear dramatic, aviation experts say it is one of the safest decisions a flight crew can make when landing conditions are no longer considered safe. The incident comes as relentless monsoon rains continue to batter Mumbai and surrounding regions, disrupting air, rail and road transport while prompting authorities to issue weather warnings across Maharashtra.

What Happened During the Landing Attempt?

The IndiGo ATR aircraft was on its final approach to Navi Mumbai Airport when deteriorating weather conditions forced the pilots to discontinue the landing. Instead of touching down, the aircraft increased engine power, climbed away from the runway, and entered another circuit before attempting a fresh landing.

This procedure, known in aviation as a go-around, is a standard operating practice followed by airlines worldwide whenever pilots determine that continuing the landing could compromise safety.