(a) whether the Spice Jet Jammu - Delhi flight was grounded
on the wrong runway at the IGI Airport;
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether such incidents are happening frequently in the
country and action had not been taken by the concerned
department on earlier incidents;
(d) if so, the details thereto and the reasons therefor;
and
(e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the
Government in this regard to avoid recurrence of such
incidents?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) and (b): On 12.06.2007 M/s Spice Jet B737-800 aircraft
VT-SPH while operating flight SEJ852 (Jammu-Delhi Sector)
landed on the wrong runway at IGI Airport. Pilot carried
out visual approach and landing clearance to the aircraft
was issued after aircraft reported having identified and
sighted the runway 10. Since the two runways have same
direction of approach, the Pilot made the approach on the
runway 09 instead of runway 10 by error of judgement and
finally landed on runway 09. At that time there was no
aircraft movement on runway 09, and the aircraft landed
safely and vacated the runway. There was no damage to the
aircraft or injury to any person.
(c): No, Sir. Such incidents are very rare.
(d): Does not arise.
(e): Training and refresher courses for Pilots are being
conducted at regular intervals to handle such situations
where the two runways have approaches on same direction.
Standard instrument and operating procedure have been laid
down separately for both the runways to avoid recurrence of such incidents.
Use of radar (SDD) in control tower, specially at major
aerodromes has been made mandatory to monitor movement of the landing aircraft.