Synopsis
On 30 January 2016, an Air India A320 aircraft, registration VT-EDD, operating flight AIC543 from Shamshabad to Delhi, and a Jet Airways B737 aircraft, registration VT-JBE, operating flight JAI833 from Bengaluru to Delhi, were involved in a serious incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. The incident occurred at approximately 06:15 UTC. The Air India aircraft was cleared for arrival and assigned Runway 11, while the Jet Airways aircraft was assigned Runway 10. Both flights were scheduled operations under the command of ATPL-holder pilots.
During the approach, the Air India aircraft was vectored for Runway 11 and reported established on its localizer. It was released to the Aerodrome Controller South at 8 NM from touchdown. Meanwhile, the Jet Airways aircraft was vectored for Runway 10 and released to the Aerodrome Controller Middle at 9 NM from touchdown. At that time, the Air India aircraft had crossed the localizer of Runway 11 from south to north and was heading toward the localizer of Runway 10 on its last assigned heading. A conflict developed, and the Current Conflict Warning (CCW) was generated twice by the system. Lateral separation reduced to approximately 1.2 NM and vertical separation to 300 feet.
Landing clearance was not issued to the Air India aircraft by the Aerodrome Controller South, but the aircraft continued its approach to Runway 09. The Jet Airways aircraft was instructed by the Aerodrome Controller Middle to go around due to the conflict and executed a left turn. The Air India aircraft later performed a missed approach from Runway 09. No injuries to any persons on board were reported.
Factual Information
History of the Flight
On the day of the incident, three runway easterly mode was in operation at IGI Airport, involving Runways 11 and 10 for both arrivals and departures and Runway 09 for departures only. Weather at Delhi was fine with visibility of 1200 meters and winds from 170 degrees at 4 knots.
The Air India aircraft was cleared via the SAPLO6B RNAV arrival and assigned Runway 11. It reported established on the localizer of Runway 11 at about 23 NM from touchdown. The Jet Airways aircraft was also cleared via SAPLO6B RNAV arrival and assigned Runway 10. It intercepted the localizer of Runway 10 at 14 NM at time 0611 UTC.
The Arrival Approach Controller released the Air India aircraft to the Aerodrome Controller South (125.85 MHz) at 8 NM from touchdown at time 0612 UTC, when it was slightly south of the localizer of Runway 11. Subsequently, the Jet Airways aircraft was released to the Aerodrome Controller Middle (118.1 MHz) at 9 NM from touchdown at time 0612 UTC. At that time, the Air India aircraft had crossed the localizer of Runway 11 and was heading toward the localizer of Runway 10. The Current Conflict Warning was generated twice.
The Aerodrome Controller Middle attempted to hand off the Jet Airways aircraft to the Approach Arrival Controller but it was returned. Landing clearance was not issued to the Air India aircraft by the Aerodrome Controller South, yet the aircraft continued its approach to Runway 09. At time 0614 UTC, the Aerodrome Controller Middle instructed the Jet Airways aircraft to go around due to the conflict. The Jet Airways aircraft turned left to heading 070 and was handed over to the Approach Controller at time 0615 UTC. The Air India aircraft subsequently carried out a missed approach from Runway 09 and was handed over to the Approach Controller at time 0616 UTC. The Aerodrome Controller North did not allow departures to line up on Runway 09 during this time.
Injuries to Persons
There were no injuries to crew or passengers. The Air India aircraft carried 2 cockpit crew, 5 cabin crew, and 134 passengers. The Jet Airways aircraft carried 2 cockpit crew, 5 cabin crew, and 142 passengers.
Damage to Aircraft
No damage was reported to either aircraft.
Personnel Information
The Pilot-in-Command of the Air India aircraft was aged 55 years, held an ATPL, and had total flying experience of 18,904 hours 5 minutes, with 15,029 hours 35 minutes on type. The First Officer was aged 41 years, held an ATPL, and had 8,714 hours 1 minute total flying experience, with 8,493 hours 35 minutes on type.
ATC personnel involved included the Approach Controller (TAR), Aerodrome Controller North, Aerodrome Controller South, and Aerodrome Controller Middle. Their ratings and validation dates were documented in the report.
Aircraft Information
The Air India aircraft was an Airbus A320 (MSN 4212) manufactured in 2010, registered under category 'A' with DGCA. It had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Airworthiness Review Certificate. At the time of the incident, it had logged 22,179.05 airframe hours and 10,589 cycles.
Type of Incident
The incident was classified as an air proximity event due to an attempt to land on an unassigned runway.