Air India A320 Aborted Takeoff on Unassigned Runway at Chennai (VT-EXM)

Incident Overview On 13 November 2020, an Air India Airbus A320, registration VT-EXM, was involved in a serious incident at Chennai Airport while operating a scheduled flight to Delhi. The aircraft aborted its takeoff after lining up on an unassigned runway. ## Flight and Crew Details The aircraft was operating a scheduled service from Chennai to Delhi. The pilot in command, an ATPL holder, was the pilot flying, and the co-pilot, a CPL holder, was the pilot monitoring. There were 161 passengers and four cabin crew members on board. No injuries were reported to any persons. ## Sequence of Events Air traffic control advised the crew to expect runway 25 for departure and later issued taxi and takeoff clearances for that runway. The crew requested an intersection departure, after which ATC revised the taxi clearance to a holding point for runway 30 on taxiway A. The tower subsequently issued line-up and takeoff clearances for runway 25. During the turn for line-up, the crew stated that they saw runway 30 ahead and lined up on it without identifying the runway or analyzing visual cues. The aircraft began its takeoff roll on runway 30. ## Rejected Takeoff and Aftermath Upon observing the aircraft rolling on the wrong runway, the tower immediately instructed the crew to cancel the takeoff, hold position, and stop. The crew rejected the takeoff at approximately 67 knots; the speed increased to a maximum of 74 knots before deceleration began. After vacating the runway via taxiway Q1, the aircraft turned onto taxiway N instead of continuing toward the instructed holding point. ATC instructed the aircraft to hold position, and ground control later coordinated with the apron. The crew did not respond to repeated calls to confirm engine shutdown.