Air India flight overshoots runway in Mumbai; aircraft, runway damaged, pilots de-rostered
The engine nacelles were damaged, three tyres burst, and multiple runway boards and lights were hit
An Air India A320neo aircraft, painted in the erstwhile Vistara livery and operating as flight AI-2744 from Kochi to Mumbai, skidded off the main runway at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday morning during heavy rainfall, in what authorities are now describing as a significant runway excursion.
The incident occurred at approximately 9.27 am on runway 27. After touchdown, the aircraft veered into an unpaved area, damaging critical components before coming to rest on a taxiway.
The pilots, despite the evident damage, chose to taxi the aircraft to the parking bay under its own power. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, with no injuries reported.
However, initial assessments indicate considerable damage to the aircraft and airport infrastructure. Sources confirmed that the aircraft’s engine nacelles suffered damage, three tyres burst during the excursion, and at least three runway information boards and four runway edge lights were destroyed.
The aircraft has been grounded for inspection, and both pilots have been de-rostered pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
In an official statement, Air India said, “Flight AI2744 experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion after touchdown. The aircraft taxied safely to the gate and all passengers and crew members have since disembarked. The aircraft has been grounded for checks. The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority.”
Mumbai airport authorities responded swiftly, activating emergency protocols. “An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at CSMIA. All passengers and crew are safe. There are minor damages to the primary runway 09/27. To ensure operational continuity, the secondary runway 14/32 has been activated,” the airport operator said in a statement.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun a formal inquiry, with its officials visiting the site. The decision to de-roster the pilots is in line with standard protocol following such incidents, pending a review of cockpit decisions and aircraft handling.
This latest event is not an isolated case. Mumbai’s runway 27 has a history of incidents during inclement weather. In September 2023, a VSR Ventures Learjet 45 veered off the same runway in poor visibility during heavy rains, causing minor injuries and major delays.
Similarly, in July 2019, a SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 overran the runway during heavy rains, collapsing its nose gear and shutting down the main runway for 48 hours.
Aviation safety experts have long raised concerns about the challenges posed by monsoon landings at Mumbai airport, including water accumulation, visibility issues, and runway friction levels. Monday’s incident is expected to intensify calls for enhanced operational safeguards and stricter adherence to landing protocols during adverse weather.