New Delhi: Air India and Nepal Airlines planes had a narrow escape from a mid-air collision. Nepal Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) says that this happened due to the negligence of the air traffic controller. Both the planes had come very close in the sky. The warning system of the aircraft alerted both the pilots, which averted a major accident.
Authority spokesperson Jagannath Niraula said that three air traffic controllers have been removed from the post for this negligence.
Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) of Tribhuvan International Airport involved in traffic conflict incident (between Air India and Nepal Airlines on 24th March 2023) have been removed from active control position until further notice. pic.twitter.com/enxd0WrteZ
— Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (@hello_CAANepal) March 26, 2023
Air India flight was going from Delhi to Kathmandu
This whole incident happened on Friday. Nepal Airlines Airbus A-320 aircraft coming from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Kathmandu and Air India aircraft coming from New Delhi to Kathmandu came close on Friday morning.
Niraula said the Air India plane was descending below 19,000 feet while the Nepal Airlines plane was flying at an altitude of 15,000 feet at the same location.
The controller did not alert the pilot
The spokesman said that as soon as its warning was received on the radar, the pilot of Nepal Airlines landed his plane 7,000 feet in the sky. All this happened due to the negligence of the controller. He informed that the authority has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter. Please tell that no statement has come from Air India in this matter yet.
Read also: Dhruv Helicopter: Emergency landing of ALH Dhruv helicopter had to be done in Kochi, Kerala, big accident averted
