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“Delhi Airport Probe After Afghan Jet Lands on Takeoff Runway”

New Delhi : A potentially serious aviation incident was averted at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Sunday when Ariana Afghan Airlines flight FG 311 from Kabul landed on runway 29R  a strip normally reserved for departures  at 12:07 PM. Airport sources said no aircraft was queued for take-off on the runway at that moment, averting a collision.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airport operators have launched a probe to ascertain how the aircraft came to land on a runway designated for take-offs, and whether there was any lapse in air traffic control (ATC) coordination or pilot briefing.

What Happened

According to preliminary reports, FG 311 was cleared for landing by ATC and touched down safely on runway 29R. The runway is primarily configured for departures during the airport’s traffic flow patterns. Sources at IGIA confirmed that, by sheer fortune, there were no departures lined up on 29R at the exact time of landing.

Airport operations briefly recorded a disruption while controllers verified runway status and sequenced displaced traffic. Normal operations resumed after checks confirmed runway integrity and clearance from safety teams.

Authorities Launch Investigation

Both DGCA and the airport operator have been notified. A DGCA spokesperson said that an inquiry will examine ATC transcripts, radar logs, cockpit voice recorder snippets if necessary, and relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The probe will aim to establish whether the incident resulted from human error, miscommunication, incorrect runway assignment, or an operational ambiguity between ground and tower controllers. The outcome will determine if procedural revisions or additional safety measures are needed.

Safety and Precautions

IGIA operations follow layered safety protocols including ground monitoring, visual aids, instrument landing systems and strict ATC clearances. Aviation experts stress that runway incursions and mistaken runway usage are among the riskiest events, and they typically prompt immediate corrective action when identified.

Sources said runway status lights and ATC signage functioned normally; investigators will analyze whether communication or consent lapses occurred during the final approach phase.

Reactions and Next Steps

Airport officials have assured passengers and airlines that safety remains the top priority and that findings will be shared with stakeholders. The DGCA will decide on any administrative action depending on probe outcomes.

Passengers on FG 311 reportedly disembarked normally after standard arrival checks. No injuries or technical defects have been reported so far. Airlines operating at IGIA have been asked to cooperate fully with the enquiry team.

For official updates on aviation safety guidelines and investigations, readers can refer to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) portals.

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