IndiGo Airbus A321 Suffers Tail Strike During Go-Around in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: Aviation safety regulators have initiated a formal investigation following a tail strike incident involving an IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Sunday. The incident occurred as the flight, designated 6E 6542, was attempting to land after a journey from Guwahati.
Incident Details
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft—registered as VT-NHP—was executing its initial approach to the runway when the flight crew decided to abort the landing. During the subsequent “go-around” maneuver, where the pilots increased engine thrust to climb back to a safe altitude, the rear section of the fuselage made contact with the runway surface.
Despite the technical complication, the pilots maintained control of the aircraft and managed to execute a successful landing on their second attempt shortly thereafter. All passengers and crew members on board were reported safe, with no injuries resulting from the incident.
DGCA Investigation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, has taken cognizance of the event and launched a comprehensive probe to determine the precise cause of the tail strike. Such investigations typically involve a review of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) to assess the pitch angle of the aircraft during the aborted landing and to evaluate whether pilot inputs or external environmental factors played a primary role.
A tail strike happens when the aft portion of an aircraft’s fuselage contacts the ground during takeoff or landing. This is often caused by an excessive pitch-up attitude during rotation or flare, or by aggressive maneuvers during a go-around procedure.
Airline’s Response
An IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged the incident, attributing the maneuver to challenging weather conditions. “Flight 6E 6542 experienced abnormal runway contact while landing during gusty weather at Kempegowda International Airport,” the airline stated.
The spokesperson further emphasized that the safety of passengers remained the primary focus throughout the event. “All customers and crew are safe. The incident has been reported to the relevant authorities, and the aircraft has been grounded to undergo necessary structural maintenance checks and technical inspections,” the statement added.
Focus on Safety Protocols
This incident has brought renewed attention to the operational procedures regarding go-arounds during inclement weather. As IndiGo continues its rapid fleet expansion, maintaining strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during landing flare and climb-out transitions remains a critical priority for the carrier.
The aircraft involved in the incident will remain out of service while maintenance teams conduct a detailed assessment of the airframe to check for structural damage. Once the maintenance reports are completed and verified, they will be submitted to the DGCA as part of the ongoing investigative process. Aviation experts suggest that once the data is analyzed, the regulator may issue safety circulars or recommendations to flight crews to prevent similar occurrences in the future, especially during volatile weather patterns.
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