Tragedy averted in skies of Rajkot

Rajkot, Sep 21 (UNI) A major tragedy was averted today when a Jet Airways flight (Boeing) narrowly escaped a collision with an IAF plane on a training exercise.

The Jet Airways plane with 65 passengers plus crew was on its way here from Mumbai. About 50 kms from Rajkot, the two planes came 200 feet close to each other at 0845 hrs. Airport officials say that Vertical Separation Distance (safety margin) has to be at least 1,000 feet between two aircraft. A timely action by the IAF pilot avoided the major tragedy, sources said.

The Boeing was slated to return to Mumbai later today.

However, the trip back home has been cancelled and officials are tight-lipped about it. The passengers have been accommodated for the night here.

Jet Airways sources in Mumbai told UNI that the 9W345 Mumbai-Rajkot flight had left Mumbai airport at 0735 hrs and was scheduled to land at Rajkot around 0900 hrs. The traffic collision avoidance system alerted the captain to react and change course as there was a military exercise going on. During this manoeuvre, the pilot had to use higher power thrust for the engine.

The aircraft, thereafter, landed safely and there was no damage to the equipment nor were the passengers put into any danger, the Jet Airways sources in Mumbai said.

UNI