History of the Flight
On 20 January 2020, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, registration VT-SZK, operated by SpiceJet as flight SEJ467 from Mumbai to Hyderabad, was involved in a serious incident when it landed on a closed runway at Hyderabad Airport. The flight crew had briefed for runway 09L (secondary runway). The aircraft departed Mumbai at 0857 UTC, with a flying time of 57 minutes.
The crew monitored ATIS series 'T', which indicated visibility 6 km, runway in use as 09L, and a VOR approach for runway 09L. At 0940 UTC, the flight contacted Approach control, which cleared it for a VOR approach to runway 09L and instructed it to intercept the final approach track (FAT). The clearance was read back correctly.
As the aircraft appeared high on approach, the crew requested vectoring to adjust rate of descent. At 09:52:46 UTC, the radar controller issued a new heading of 060 and recleared the flight for the VOR approach runway 09L, which was read back correctly. After intercepting the FAT, the aircraft was handed over to Tower at 09:52:58 UTC. The Tower controller cleared the flight to land on runway 09L at 0953 UTC, and the crew read back correctly.
Until overhead the VOR, the flight followed the track for runway 09L. After crossing the VOR, the aircraft maneuvered to the right toward runway 09R and landed on that runway at 0957 UTC. Runway 09R was closed at the time due to runway inspection. The PAPI and lights of runway 09R were not illuminated. A leader jeep was on the runway conducting inspection; the jeep crew observed the approaching aircraft and informed Ground control. The Tower controller attempted to call the aircraft but did not disturb the crew as it was too low. After landing, the aircraft vacated through the active runway 09L and was handed over to Ground control. Normal deplaning followed.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries occurred to any persons (crew, passengers, or others). No damage to the aircraft or ground equipment was reported. The runway 09R/27L was handed over to ATC, but no entry of the handover was noted in the ATC logbook.
Personnel Information
The radar controller held Tower, Area, Approach, and Radar Control ratings, with a last proficiency check on 11 December 2019. The Tower controller held a Tower Control rating, last checked on 9 July 2019. The Ground controller had Tower and Area Control ratings, last proficiency check on 14 August 2019. All controllers had valid medicals and no prior incident involvement.
The Pilot-in-Command, aged 40, held an ATPL valid until 26 April 2021, with 6,117 total flying hours (3,542 on type). He had flown 65:51 hours in the last 30 days and 3:38 in the last 24 hours, with a rest period of 22:09 hours before the flight. The Co-Pilot, aged 29, held a CPL valid until 10 September 2024, with 769 total hours (546 on type). His last 30-day experience was 53:54 hours, and rest period was 53:23 hours.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-800, serial number 41398, manufactured in 2014, owned by Wilmington Trust Ltd., and operated by SpiceJet. It had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and ARC, with a maximum takeoff weight of 79,015 kg. The last major inspection was on 20 November 2019 at 6,000 flight hours.
Meteorological and Navigational Information
The METAR at 0930 UTC indicated wind 220°/4 kt, visibility 6 km, temperature 30°C, and QNH 1016. The crew last monitored DATIS information 'T' and did not re-check during the flight or approach. All automation, VHF channels, and surveillance systems were normal. Runway 09L had a VOR approach, and runway 09R had ILS. The VOR frequency was 113.8 MHz; ILS frequencies differed for each runway.
Communications
ATC positions and frequencies: Approach/Radar on 120.25 MHz, Tower on 118.45 MHz, Ground on 121.85 MHz. The flight was cleared for runway 09L on approach frequency and given landing clearance for 09L on Tower frequency. Key transmissions included:
- 09:42:15 Radar instructed descent to 3,600 ft, intercept FAT, cleared VOR approach 09L. Crew read back.
- 09:51:49 Radar gave heading 060 and recleared VOR approach 09L. Crew read back.
- 09:53:01 Tower cleared landing on runway 09L. Crew read back.
- 09:56 (approximate): The leader jeep reported the approaching aircraft to Ground on 121.85 MHz.
No Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) recordings were available.
Analysis and Conclusion
The investigation found that the aircraft landed on closed runway 09R after correctly reading back clearances for runway 09L. The runway 09R was closed by NOTAM, and inspection was ongoing. The probable cause of the incident was not explicitly stated in the available source; however, the circumstances suggest a deviation after the VOR. The incident was classified as a serious incident. No recommendations were provided in the source.