Near-miss at Mumbai airport

Sources say that the helicopters were part of President Pratibha Patil's convoy

An Indian flight (IC 866- Mumbai to Delhi) had to abort take off, as two helicopters suddenly landed in front of the aircraft. When the pilot used the emergency break, one of the wheels of the aircraft stopped working.

More than 148 passengers were in the plane at the time. Sources say that the helicopters were part of President Pratibha Patil's convoy. The President was in Mumbai to inaugurate the Gorai Pagoda and was supposed to return to Delhi this morning.
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An Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) spokesperson refused to comment saying, "I am not aware of any such incident. It is the Air Traffic Control (ATC) who will be aware of it."

The President was proceeding to Gondia in Vidarbha region to participate in the Founder's Day celebrations of Manoharbhai Patel Institute of Engineering and Technology and to release the commemorative postage stamp on Jagnade Maharaj.

Following the incident, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a high level enquiry into the incident. Officials informed that the director general, DGCA Dr Nazeem Zaidi was rushing to Mumbai to look into the issue.

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