Pilot spots defence aircraft on runway, aborts takeoff

An accident was narrowly averted at the New Delhi IGI airport on Wednesday afternoon when an aircraft of a domestic airline had to abort takeoff after the pilot saw a defence aircraft crossing the runway. Civil aviation authorities have already ordered an enquiry and the investigation is on, sources have confirmed. The incident occurred at about 2.30 pm on Wednesday after the departure of President Pranab Mukherjee for an official visit abroad. Aircraft of several airlines were in a queue for permission to take-off. It was then that an aircraft of a domestic low-cost carrier received permission for takeoff. As the aircraft began taxiing for take-off, a defence aircraft was preparing to cross the runway. Sources said the air traffic controller on duty sent out a transmission to the defence aircraft not to proceed but the transmission got “masked” by another transmission and so apparently did not reach the defence aircraft which then crossed the runway. Meanwhile, the pilot of the domestic passenger aircraft — who was preparing for take-off — watched in horror as he saw the runway obstruction ahead. Immediately, he aborted takeoff. Sources said a preliminary report into the serious incident is expected to be submitted by Air Traffic Control authorities by Thursday afternoon.