Instead of exiting from the taxiway after landing, the aircraft with the US ambassador David C Mulford and his wife Jeannie Mulford, parked itself on the runway.
American Ambassador to India David C Mulford and his wife Jeannie Mulford gave a scare to the air traffic controllers at the Mumbai airport for about a good half an hour. Not to mention the commotion that followed. It so happened that on Tuesday, the Ambassador and his wife had flown into the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in their Beechcraft from Chennai and landed at the airport in the evening.
After landing, the aircraft instead of exiting from the taxiway after a vacation clearance, parked itself on to the Delta taxiway between terminals IA and IB. "The aircraft despite repeated warnings from the ATC for clearing the taxiway did not move," said an ATC source at the airport. Amidst all this confusion, the “doors of the aircraft opened and the Ambassador with his wife walked out and were virtually standing amidst the operational area,” said a well-placed source at the airport, causing quite a flutter.
“The pilot, despite repeated requests did not move the aircraft as he said that there was smoke coming out from the aircraft and he would not start the engine again,” added the source. It was only after the security chief was called and a 'follow me' jeep guided the pilot to the parking bay, that the aircraft was cleared from the taxiway.
According to MG Jhungare, general manager, aerodrome, Mumbai region, "It apparently is the case of the pilot not being aware of the topography of the airfield or not understanding the instructions in English properly. Aircraft do not park on taxiways. But the incident did not affect the movement on the runway."
A statement from the US Consulate in Mumbai confirmed the incident. Spokesperson Elizabeth Kauffman, "At this point in time the US Consulate does not know the details of the incident. But we do know that the Ambassador is safe." Unconfirmed reports say that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will conduct an enquiry into the matter.
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