The alarming sequence of events unfolded when SpiceJet flight SG-124, arriving from Leh, was taxiing into its allocated parking bay and struck a stationary Akasa Air aircraft. The Akasa flight QP-1406, which was preparing for departure to Hyderabad, had already taxied out of its bay and was positioned on the apron after push-back when the impact occurred. Visual evidence of the collision was stark, with airport officials confirming visible damage to both aircraft as the SpiceJet wing remained wedged in the other vessel. A SpiceJet spokesperson confirmed that their B737-700 aircraft was involved in the ground occurrence, resulting in damage to its right winglet and the left-hand horizontal stabilizer of the Akasa aircraft.
The DGCA detailed the technical specifics of the crash, stating that the winglet of the SpiceJet aircraft hit the horizontal tail surface of the Akasa aircraft. While the total number of passengers on both flights remains unknown, officials confirmed that all travelers and crew members were safe. An Akasa spokesperson emphasized that their aircraft was stationary at the time of contact and noted that ground teams worked to make alternative arrangements to fly passengers to Hyderabad at the earliest. Following the collision, the SpiceJet aircraft was grounded, and both airlines reiterated that the safety and security of passengers remain the highest priority.
This significant breach of ground safety protocols at India’s busiest terminal underscores the precarious nature of airport apron operations. With a portion of one aircraft physically lodged in another, the incident serves as a grave reminder of the thin margin for error during taxiing procedures. As the DGCA investigation continues to scrutinize the actions of the de-rostered flight crew and air traffic control, the aviation industry remains focused on the structural damage and the systemic lapses that allowed such a damaging contact to occur between a landing flight and a stationary plane preparing for takeoff.
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