Question : SAHARA PLANE SKID OFF ON RUNWAY

(a) whether a Sahara Plane skidded off the runway in Mumbai in October, 2005;

(b) if so, the details alongwith the facts thereof;

(c) whether it is a fact that the plane, which got stuck in wet ground after overshooting the runway, was not removed for a few days, hurting flights operations of other carriers;

(d) if so, the estimated loss to the Government and other airlines and the manner in which the loss will be recovered from the Sahara Airlines;

(e) whether any inquiry has been ordered in this regard;

(f) if so, the findings thereof; and

(g) the follow - up action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a) and (b):- M/s. Air Sahara Boeing 737 aircraft VT-SID on 9th October, 2005, overshot the available landing distance of runway 27/09 at Mumbai airport and ploughed into the soft ground beyond the runway end.

(c):- The runway 27/09 was closed at 1920 hours IST and secondary runway was made operational at about 1950 hours on the same day. Runway 27 was partially opened at 2315 hours IST on 09th October, 2005 itself. The aircraft was debogged at 0835 hours IST on 13th October, 2005, after the surface was prepared and other arrangements were put in place for pulling out the aircraft. During this period there were corresponding adjustments to the flying operations, some inconvenience to the passengers and losses due to restricted air operations.

(d):- There was no substantial loss to airlines in general. Sixty one flights were diverted from Mumbai airport during the period 09 - 13 October, 2005.

(e) to (g):- Enquiry into the incident is under progress and follow up action will be taken on the findings and recommendations made in the investigation report.