On a rainy Thursday, the bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai witnessed an unexpected event. A Learjet, operating a charter flight from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai, veered off the runway and crash-landed. The incident, which occurred amid heavy rain and reduced visibility, led to a temporary halt of all operations at the airport.
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The Incident
The aircraft involved in the incident was a VSR Ventures Learjet 45. It was carrying six passengers and two crew members. As it attempted to land on runway 27 at Mumbai Airport, it experienced a runway excursion. The heavy rain at the time of the incident further complicated the situation.
The Aftermath
Following the crash, all operations at the airport were temporarily shut down. This led to at least 40 flights being diverted. However, runway 27 operations resumed after an hour.
#BREAKING: #LearjetAircraft Skids Off Runway At Mumbai Airport, All Operations Shut; First Visuals Surface#Mumbai #MumbaiAirport #Aircraft #Crash #BREAKING #FPJ pic.twitter.com/5gUe0TVToL
— Free Press Journal (@fpjindia) September 14, 2023
The Passengers
Among the eight people onboard, Dhruv Kotak, the managing director of Mumbai-based conglomerate JM Baxi Ports & Logistics Ltd, was reported to be one of the injured passengers. All eight people, including a crew member, suffered injuries and were immediately taken to the nearest hospital.
Looking Ahead
While it's fortunate that there were no casualties reported, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions in aviation. It underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and protocols in ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew members. The investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing. As we await further details, our thoughts are with those affected by this unfortunate event.