Runway lights fail after heavy downpour

Heavy rain on Wednesday afternoon resulted in failure of the Runway Centreline Lighting System at the main runway of the Mumbai airport.

Heavy rain on Wednesday afternoon resulted in failure of the Runway Centreline Lighting System (RCLS) at the main runway of the Mumbai airport. Airport officials said that a problem arose in the runway lighting system after rainwater entered the circuitry.

RCLS comprises lights embedded in the surface of the runway. The centreline lighting is also supported by the mandatory runway edge lights white elevated lights that run the length of the runway on either side.

The RCLS went out of order in afternoon and till late night it could not be repaired, said an airport official. A NOTAM (notice to airmen) was issued on the same.

A spokesperson from the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) confirmed the failure of RCLS. There was a problem with the circuitry of the centreline lights, he said. As far as aircraft movement is concerned it is not a mandatory requirement like the runway edge lights, he added. The airport did not report any specific delays or go-arounds because of the failure. The lights became functional by Thursday morning.

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