Mumbai: IAF aircraft overshoots runway, 10 flights delayed

The incident took place at 11.39 pm on Tuesday, when Antonov AN-32 — a transport aircraft of the Air Force — was preparing to take off from the main runway. It was on way to the Yelahanka Air Force Base near Bengaluru.

A Defence spokesperson said the aircraft had abandoned take off in view of a technical issue and overshot the runway. (Express photo by Pradip Das)

A MAJOR mishap was averted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport when an Indian Air Force aircraft overshot the main runway on Tuesday, resulting in the runway shutting down for 16 hours, delaying over 10 flights.

The incident took place at 11.39 pm on Tuesday, when Antonov AN-32 — a transport aircraft of the Air Force — was preparing to take off from the main runway. It was on way to the Yelahanka Air Force Base near Bengaluru.

Defence officials said while the aircraft was taking off, it faced a technical issue and overshot the runway, stopping just a few metres from the boundary wall of the airport.

“The aircraft and the crew are safe,” a defence spokesperson said.

An official from Mumbai airport said that later, a recovery team arrived and the aircraft was cleared for take off around 4.45 pm on Wednesday.

A spokeperson from Mumbai International Airport Limited said that while it took 16 hours to clear the runway, not many flights were delayed.

“Still, over 10 flights were delayed as operations were shifted from 09×27 (main runway) to the 14×32 secondary runway,” said an official.

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