Rajkot, September 21
A Jet Airways Boeing 737, with 89 passengers on board, today had a miraculous escape after it was involved in a near-collision with a formation of the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30 fighter jets over the airport here.
The Boeing developed a technical problem after its pilot resorted to a sudden climb to avoid the fighter jets. It was grounded after landing at the airport here and all passengers were safe.
The Su-30 fighter jets were participating in the “Gagan Shakti” air exercise over Rajkot when the incident occurred at about 8.30 am.
Though there was no official version of how the near-miss occurred, reports suggested it was the outcome of a lack of coordination between the Jet Airways’ crew and the air traffic control (ATC).
The Indian Air Force, in a statement issued in Delhi, said: “An inquiry has been marked to look in detail into the matter along with the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation.”
The Jet Airways flight no 9W-345, from Mumbai to Rajkot, had descended to 22,500 feet when it was asked by the ATC to pull up to 23,000 feet.
A Jet Airways spokesman said:“It was on a normal approach to Rajkot as had been prescribed by the ATC through the ACAS (aircraft collision avoidance system).
“But suddenly the pilot was asked to react and change course. During the sudden climb, the pilot had to use higher power thrust of the engines,” he said.
“The Captain reacted professionally and took the correct decisions,” he said, adding that the Boeing’s engines were undergoing a routine inspection at Rajkot.
— PTI
