DGCA orders inquiry into AI's near-mishap at Mumbai airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered a probe into the near mishap in which 121 people on board an Air India plane had a miraculous escape when the aircraft's tail hit the runway in Mumbai while landing at high speed.

The aircraft's two pilots, including a female commander, have been derostered from flying duties following the incident on Tuesday, sources in Mumbai said.

The sources said the pilots may not be allowed to fly again until the DGCA report is out so that necessary correctional training could be given to them.

An Air India official said the DGCA ordered the inquiry following the incident which occurred at 8.30 am. The plane -- AI 614 -- was landing at the Mumbai airport from Ahmedabad and its tail scraped the runway at high speed.

"The matter has gone to the DGCA. There will be an inquiry shortly. We have to wait for the DGCA report. It seems to be a matter of tail strike which occurs when a pilot flies the aircraft above a certain prescribed angle," the official said.

The DGCA is expected to take a serious note of the incident, especially because the speed of the aircraft while landing was over 250 kmph, sources said.

"The exact reason will be known only after the DGCA report. But it seems to be a miscalculation by the pilot that led to the aircraft not touching down at the correct angle," the official said.

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said he has asked for a report from the DGCA.

"There are norms and procedures which have to be followed," he told reporters in New Delhi when asked about the incident.