DGCA launches probe into Mumbai runway incident

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday begun investigation into a near-miss incident at Mumbai airport in which an IAF helicopter of president Pratibha Patil's fleet landed on the runway, where an Air India plane was about to take off but aborted it at the last minute.
    
Maintaining that the Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Mumbai was "aware" of the Presidential fleet movement, an official spokesperson said the ATC was monitoring the helicopter's approach when it noticed the Air India aircraft on the "active runway 27".
    
The ATC then asked the aircraft to immediately apply breaks and exit through the taxiway, she said, adding that the plane exited immediately and the helicopters landed safely.     

Jt DGCA A K Chopra, who rushed from Delhi to Mumbai, has already started investigation proceedings there, the spokesperson said.