A major accident was averted on Wednesday morning at the Delhi airport due to the prudence of a woman pilot. Due to the lapse of Air Traffic Control (ATC), two Vistara Airlines aircraft came on the same runway. However, the female pilot stopped her plane showing understanding. This saved both planes from colliding. A total of 300 passengers were on board both the planes. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Also, the responsible air traffic controller has been removed from work.

Vistara's Ahmedabad to Delhi flight number VTI 926 had landed on runway number 29L. Air Traffic Control (ATC) signaled the flight to proceed to the parking via runway 29R. The woman pilot of this aircraft, Sonu Gill (45), was moving forward. Meanwhile, the ATC officer cleared Delhi-Bagdogra flight number UK725 to take off from runway 29R. The plane was about to take off when pilot Sonu Gill caught sight of it. He immediately alerted ATC. Then he stopped the Delhi-Bagdogra flight from taking off. (Bureau/Agency)

The distance between the planes was left 1.8 km: When the ATC officer stopped the Delhi-Bagdogra plane from flying, the distance between the two planes was only 1.8 km. Had there been a slight delay, there could have been a massive collision between the two planes.

According to airport officials, if the flying plane was not stopped at the right time, a major accident could have happened. As per standard operating procedure, no other aircraft or vehicle movement is allowed during take off and landing. Captain Amit Singh, senior pilot and founder of the Safety Matters Foundation, said, no flight is allowed to take off on a parallel runway until the runway is clear. On the other hand, if such a situation arises due to some mistake, the landing flight is asked to circle in the air for a while.