Jaipur Airport Accident: An accident involving an NCC microlight aircraft occurred at Jaipur International Airport around 6 AM on Monday. The aircraft was being moved out of the airport hangar for a training flight when a baggage-carrying vehicle belonging to the ground handling company, Indothai, collided with it. The collision damaged the aircraft’s wings. Fortunately, the Wing Commander and the NCC cadet on board remained safe.
Accident Occurs Before Training Flight
The incident took place while the microlight aircraft was being brought out of the hangar for a training session involving NCC Air Wing cadets. The Wing Commander was preparing to provide practical flight training to the cadet. During this process, a baggage vehicle operated by a private ground service agency strayed into the aircraft’s path and collided with it, damaging the wings.
Questions Raised About Airport Safety Protocols
The accident has raised questions regarding ground vehicle management in the airside area. Standard protocol dictates that aircraft be given the ‘right of way’ (priority) on the airside; thus, a ground vehicle obstructing an aircraft’s path points to a lapse in safety procedures. Officials noted that the situation could have been critical had such a collision occurred during takeoff or near the runway.
Investigation Launched
The Jaipur Airport administration and relevant departments have initiated an investigation into the incident. The probe is examining potential lapses involving the ground vehicle driver, the duty supervisor, and airport operations staff. The extent of the damage to the aircraft is being assessed. NCC flight training is likely to be suspended for a few days until repairs are completed.
What is a Microlight Aircraft?
The microlight aircraft used by the NCC Air Wing is a lightweight training aircraft. Under the supervision of a trained pilot, it provides cadets with practical experience in aircraft operation, the fundamentals of flight, and aviation safety.
High Volume of Daily Flights at Jaipur Airport
Jaipur Airport is a busy airport. According to available data, an average of approximately 95 aircraft land and take off here daily. During the winter season, this figure rises to between 140 and 150. Consequently, there is a need to pay special attention to safety protocols regarding the conduct of training flights within the airport’s airside area.
NCC Training Could Shift to Another Airport
Following the accident, there has been talk of considering a shift of NCC training flights to a less busy airport near Jaipur. A relatively less busy airport, such as Kishangarh Airport, could be considered as an alternative for training purposes to minimize the risk associated with the coexistence of commercial flights and training activities.
