What happened
On February 22, 2016, an Air India Boeing 777-30 and ER, registration VT-ALJ, was involved in a serious ground incident at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. The aircraft, operating a scheduled flight from Ahmedabad, was taxiing toward parking bay K5 after landing on Runway 27. During the taxi sequence, the right wing of the aircraft struck a high mast lighting pole. The impact was forceful enough to bend the pole and cause it to partially tear at its base, leading to its collapse. While the crew felt a shudder during the movement, they were initially unaware of the collision. Damage was later discovered on the leading edge of the right wing during a post-flight inspection.
There were 319 passengers and 10 cabin crew on board the aircraft at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported to anyone on the aircraft or on the ground.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by AAIB India examined the taxi clearance, ground markings, and operational procedures at the South East Pier. Investigators found that the Surface Movement Control (SMC) controller provided an incorrect taxi clearance, directing the aircraft through taxiway Y1 instead of the appropriate H1 route for Code E aircraft. Furthermore, the investigation established that the centerline lighting required for Code E operations had not been activated, and the mandatory "Follow Me" vehicle service was not provided at the required junction.
Technical reviews of the flight documentation revealed that the crew had been provided with an inadequate pre-flight briefing by Flight Dispatch, leaving them unaware of recent NOTAM updates regarding changes in the South East Pier. Additionally, while the crew noted a ground marking indicating a "MAX SPAN 36 M" limit, they proceeded with the taxi despite the Boeing 777-300 ER having a much larger wingspan of 64.8 meters.