Incident regarding animal hit at Surat Airport

Spicejet Flight SG-622 (Boeing 737-800 aircraft) on 06.11.2014 at 1906 hrs hit an animal while takeoff run.  Timely action by the pilot of the aircraft averted a mishap and the aircraft was brought back to the apron for checks.  Another aircraft was called from Mumbai and passengers were sent to Delhi around 2300 hrs.  DGCA has ordered an Inquiry into the incident and a team from DGCA Regional Hqrs. Mumbai is visiting Surat airport today.

Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation called a meeting in the morning today in which Secretary, Civil Aviation, DGCA, Chairman, AAI, Member/ANS, AAI and Member(Ops), AAI were present.    It was desired that immediate action should be taken to ensure that no airport boundary is breached resulting in this type of safety hazards in future. Hon’ble Minister directed that an inquiry should also be conducted by AAI alongwith DGCA inquiry to ensure that no such incident recur in Surat airport or at any other airport.

The Minister has directed the Airports Authority of India to send teams to visit all such airports where there are similar safety concerns, within the next one month and to take remedial measures within three months.

 Member (Ops.) alongwith Regional Executive Director/ Western Region, AAI are also visiting Surat airport for inspection and discussion with District Collector for suggesting preventive measures to be taken in future to ensure environment management around the airport.   An FIR has been lodged in the present incident. It has been intimated that this type of breach by animal of surrounding villagers have been reported earlier also.  There are fish ponds just adjacent to the boundary wall at Surat Airport which are resulting in the bird activities around the airport causing safety hazards. These concerns have been raised by APD with State Govt. authorities and local administration.  The Secretary, Civil Aviation has also spoken to Chief Secretary, Gujarat on this issue.

 The matter has also been taken up with District administration and in the Airport Environmental Committee meetings also which is headed by District Collector.  Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation has also desired that AAI should frame short term, medium term and long term plans for vulnerable airports where these types of airport boundary breaches have been reported.