Private Jet Skids: In a dramatic incident at Mumbai airport, a private jet skidded off the runway and crashed while attempting to land during heavy rain on Thursday evening. The aircraft involved was a Learjet 45, a nine-seater super-light business jet manufactured by a division of Canada-based Bombardier Aviation.
The Accident and Injuries
All eight individuals on board, including five passengers and three crew members (comprising a pilot, co-pilot, and flight attendant), have been hospitalized, as reported by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to news agency ANI. While the extent of injuries remains unknown, fortunately, there have been no reported casualties thus far.
Runway Clearance and Resumption of Operations
Following the incident, the runway was promptly cleared of debris, and normal airport operations resumed after thorough safety checks and clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The accident occurred near Runway 27, which had become slippery due to the heavy rainfall. Visibility at the time was reported to be around 700 meters.
Flight Diversions and Impact on Operations
During the brief closure of the runway, several flights, including five Vistara Airlines flights, were diverted. Among the affected Vistara flights were UK622 from Varanasi, UK124 from Bangkok, UK933 from Delhi, UK518 from Kochi, and UK865 from Dehradun. The first two flights were redirected to Hyderabad, while the latter three were sent to Goa.
SpiceJet also issued an advisory to its passengers, warning them that their flights might be affected.
CCTV Footage and Emergency Response
Disturbing CCTV footage of the crash suggests that the aircraft made a forceful impact with the ground, and the plane’s body appeared to skid along the runway. Emergency services at the scene promptly extinguished a fire that had erupted on the aircraft.
Aircraft Details and Origin
According to information provided by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the aircraft involved in the incident was a Learjet 45. This nine-seater super-light business jet is manufactured by a division of Canada-based Bombardier Aviation. The aircraft was registered to VSR Ventures, believed to be a Bengaluru-based real estate development firm.
The ill-fated flight was en route from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to its destination at Mumbai airport.