Air India Pilots De-Rostered After Reports Emerge Of Mid-Air Collision Averted In Nepal

NEW DELHI: Pilots of an Air India flight that flew from New Delhi to Kathmandu on March 24th have been de-rostered until further notice by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after reports of a near- collision from Nepal emerged.

The announcement follows on the heels of news surfacing that a major air disaster was averted on March 24th when an Air India and a Nepal Airlines aircraft came dangerously close to each other.

What caught the attention of the pilots was the warning systems on the aircraft and a tragedy was averted. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has informed about suspension of two air traffic controllers for `carelessness’ following the incident. They authority have also said that entry of the Air India pilots have been banned as they didn’t see the warning.

Sources said, "On Friday, a Nepal Airlines aircraft approaching Kathmandu from Kuala Lumpur and an Air India aircraft approaching Kathmandu from Delhi were literally caught on the same level during descent. The Air India aircraft was descending from 19,000 feet while Nepal airlines was flying at an altitude of 15,000 feet. The Nepal Airlines pilot on noticing this got alerted and descended to 7000 feet – which averted a major disaster from taking place.”

What is significant about the incident is that the Air India flight is said to have suddenly descended from 19,000 ft to 15,000 ft, the level at which the Nepal Airlines flight was flying. The pilots of the Nepal Airlines plane is reported to have taken evasive action to going down to 7,000 feet, thus avoiding a potential collision threat.

"Air Traffic Controllers of Tribhuvan International Airport involved in the traffic conflict incident on March 24th have been removed from active control position, until further notice,’’ CAAN has said.

CAAN has constituted a three member probe committee to investigate the matter. According to the DGCA, information is being obtained from Nepal authorities on the incident. However, it has been made clear that Nepal authorities have no jurisdiction over Indian pilots.

Air India has so far refused to comment on the issue.

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