JET AIRWAYS PLANE VEERS OFF RUNWAY
Civil aviation minister assures a thorough time-bound investigation
Panaji, Dec. 27: All the 161 people onboard a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways aircraft had a miraculous escape when it skidded off the runway and spun around before coming to a jerky halt as its nose sat on the soft land while rolling for take off early on Tuesday at Goa airport, leaving 15 passengers wounded.
There were 154 passengers and seven crew members onboard when the Boeing 737 aircraft turned a full 360 degree on the runaway, veered towards the soft land, damaging the landing gear in the convulsive process around 5 am.
The nose cone sat on the grass about 250-300 metres away from 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 15 passengers came when they were being evacuated from the stricken aircraft.
Panaji, Dec. 27: All the 161 people onboard a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways aircraft had a miraculous escape when it skidded off the runwaywhile rolling for take off early on Tuesday at Goa airport.
“At about 0504 hours on 27 December (GoaMumbai) flight veered right from the runway 26 while rolling for take off. ATC duty personnel on runway reported aircraft leaving runway and subsequently received distress call from aircraft.
“Aircraft came to a halt about 250-300 metres away from runway. The emergency crew of the Indian Navy were immediately dispatched in rescue vehicles to crash site. All persons onboard were evacuated and medical aid on the the site was provided by MI Room, Hansa. Total of 15 persons were injured and medical aid was provided by local hospitals,” the Navy said in a statement.
The Goa airport is located at Navy’s Hansa facility.
The flying licence of the two pilots was suspended and a probe launched into the accident. It will be conducted by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of the Civil Aviation Ministry.