MUMBAI- An IndiGo Airlines (6E) aircraft operating flight 6E 1060 from Bangkok (BKK) to Mumbai (BOM) experienced a tail strike during landing on Saturday (August ), prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to order a probe.
The Airbus A321neo involved in the incident landed safely after a go-around, but both pilots have been taken off duty pending investigation as per regulatory protocol.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalIndiGo Bangkok to Mumbai Flight Tail Strike
According to IndiGo, the Airbus A321’s tail touched the runway while executing a low-altitude go-around due to adverse weather conditions over Mumbai.
The aircraft departed Bangkok at 12:12 am local time, slightly delayed from its scheduled 11:40 pm departure, and finally landed at Mumbai Airport at 3:04 am, against its scheduled arrival time of 2:50 am.
Flight tracking data confirmed that the first approach was aborted due to poor visibility and heavy rain. The aircraft made another approach shortly after and landed safely. No injuries to passengers or crew were reported.
The DGCA confirmed that a detailed investigation is being carried out to assess the sequence of events and determine corrective measures. Tail strikes are considered serious safety occurrences as they can potentially damage the fuselage and require thorough technical inspection before further operations.
As per procedure, the aircraft has been grounded for checks and necessary repairs before being cleared to return to service. Both operating pilots remain derostered until the regulator completes its inquiry.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalHeavy Rainfall Disrupts Operations at Mumbai
The incident took place amid severe monsoon showers in Mumbai and its suburbs. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported more than 200 mm of rainfall between Friday morning and Saturday morning, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas.
Adverse weather significantly disrupted flight schedules. Sources confirmed that Mumbai Airport recorded at least 15 go-arounds between midnight and 6 am on Saturday, including the IndiGo tail strike incident.
Additionally, two flights—one by Air India (AI) and another by IndiGo (6E)—were diverted to nearby airports before later returning to Mumbai.
Local train services and road transport were also affected by flooding, adding to the overall disruption across the city.
Airline Response and Next Steps
IndiGo stated that it is fully cooperating with the DGCA investigation and will ensure that all safety protocols are followed.
The airline added that efforts are being made to minimize disruption to its operations while the affected aircraft undergoes inspection and clearance.
The carrier reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and regulatory compliance, noting that such occurrences are rare but handled with the highest level of attention.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalSimilar Incident
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on September 9, 2024, suspended IndiGo (6E) pilots after a tail strike incident at Delhi Airport (DEL).
IndiGo flight 6E6054, an Airbus A321neo registered VT-IBI, was operating the Delhi (DEL) to Bengaluru (BLR) route when the aircraft suffered a tail strike. The jet has remained grounded for inspection and repair since the incident.
DGCA confirmed that the pilots of IndiGo (6E) have been grounded while an inquiry is underway. The regulator has not announced the suspension duration, stating it will depend on the outcome of the investigation.
A preliminary report shows that both pilots received show-cause notices, marking the first formal step in the regulatory process.
This incident highlights continuing safety oversight challenges for IndiGo, the largest airline in India by market share. While the airline has expanded its Airbus A321neo fleet rapidly, DGCA has flagged concerns about pilot handling during critical phases of flight, such as take-off and landing.
The September 9 event is not isolated. DGCA had suspended IndiGo pilots in 2022 after a tail strike at Ahmedabad Airport (AMD). In that case, the pilot-in-command faced a three-month suspension, while the co-pilot received a one-month suspension.
In 2023, IndiGo’s A321 fleet reported four tail strike incidents between January and June. These occurred during either take-off or landing, prompting DGCA to impose a Rs 30 lakh penalty on the airline. Each of these cases has pushed regulators to demand stronger pilot training and operational safety measures.
What a Tail Strike Means
A tail strike occurs when the rear fuselage of an aircraft makes contact with the runway surface during take-off or landing. While not always catastrophic, the damage can be significant, leading to prolonged grounding of the aircraft for structural checks and repairs.
For Airbus A321 aircraft, which have a longer fuselage than the A320, the risk of tail strikes is higher if pilots do not carefully manage rotation angles during departure or flare techniques during landing.
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