Jet Airways flight veers off runway in Goa, 15 injured during evacuation

Flight 9W 2374, which had arrived from Dubai, was bound for Mumbai with 154 passengers and seven crew members.

Passengers and crew on board a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways aircraft had a miraculous escape early on Tuesday when it skidded off the runway, while taxiing for takeoff at the Dabolim airport in Goa.

Fifteen passengers sustained minor injuries.

There were 154 passengers and seven crew members when the Boeing 737 aircraft turned a full 360 degree on the runway and veered towards the soft land, in the process damaging the landing gear.

The accident took place around 5 a.m. The nose cone was virtually on the grass abutting the runway, indicating the seriousness of the accident that could have been disastrous.

There was panic inside the aircraft as the plane jerked when it spun. The “minor” injuries to the passengers came when they were being evacuated. Emergency crew of the Navy, under whose control the airport falls, was immediately dispatched for rescue. A technical team of the airline and Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) members have begun an investigation.

Flying operations were suspended till 0900 hrs at the Dabolim airport in Goa soon after the accident involving the Jet Airways plane on Tuesday. Aircraft in air were diverted by ATC personnel. The runway was made ready by 0900 hrs after clearance of minor debris.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said a thorough time-bound investigation and corrective action will be ensured. Action will be taken in case of violation of procedures, he added.

Seven of the injured have been discharged from the hospitaland the airline’s flight operations to and from Goa have resumed, Jet Airways said.

“Prima facie the runway accident appears to be a pilot’s fault. The DGCA has withdrawn the flying privileges of the two pilots, including the Commander, pending the initial outcome of the probe,” a DGCA official told PTI.

Sources in the AAIB also said that in all “probability,” the accident took place because of the pilots’ fault.

Photos: Indian Navy/  Ministry of Defence

Runway restored, flights resume

Flight operations were suspended for sometime at the Dabolim airport in Goa soon after the accident involving the Jet Airways plane on Tuesday. Aircraft in the air were diverted by ATC personnel. The runway was made ready by 9 a.m. after clearance of minor debris.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said a thorough time-bound investigation and corrective action would be ensured. Action would be taken in case of violation of procedures, he added.

Seven of the injured have been discharged from hospital after being provided medical aid and the airline’s flight operations to and from Goa have resumed, Jet Airways said.

“ Prima facie the runway accident appears to be due to the pilots’ fault. The DGCA has withdrawn the flying privileges of the two pilots, including the Commander, pending the initial outcome of the probe,” a DGCA official told PTI.

Sources in the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau also said that in all “probability,” the accident took place because of the pilots, adding, “We will get to know the actual cause only after the initial report is submitted.”

Sources said the preliminary findings on the accident are likely to be submitted in a week’s time.

(With inputs from PTI)