Air India, IndiGo aircraft involved in ground wing collision at Mumbai Airport

Two passenger aircraft, one operated by Air India and the other by IndiGo, were involved in a ground collision at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday, raising safety concerns at one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs.

The incident occurred when Air India flight AI 2732, scheduled to depart for Coimbatore, was pushing back from its bay, while IndiGo flight 6E 791 was taxiing after landing from Hyderabad. During these ground movements, the wingtips of the two aircraft made contact, resulting in damage to the wingtip of the Air India aircraft. Both flights were carrying passengers at the time of the incident.

Passengers Safely Disembarked

According to an Air India spokesperson, all passengers onboard flight AI 2732 were safely disembarked following the collision. “Flight AI2732 operating from Mumbai to Coimbatore on 3 February was delayed after the aircraft came into contact with another airline’s aircraft while waiting on the taxiway prior to take-off. The wingtips of the two aircraft made contact, resulting in damage to our aircraft’s wingtip,” the airline said in a statement.

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Details Awaited

Officials have not immediately confirmed the number of passengers onboard either aircraft, the full extent of the damage, or whether any injuries were reported. Further assessments are expected as aviation authorities review the incident.

Ground Collisions: A Rare but Known Risk

Ground collisions, while uncommon, typically occur during pushback or taxiing, especially at congested airports with high traffic movement. Such incidents often involve wingtip strikes or contact between aircraft wings, fuselages, or tail sections.

The incident highlights the operational challenges faced at busy airports like Mumbai. While no injuries were reported and passengers remained safe, the collision underscores the importance of stringent ground movement coordination to prevent such occurrences in the future.