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The helicopter, one of three on duty for Indian President Pratibha Patil during her visit to Mumbai, was on the same runway as the passenger flight, forcing the aircraft's pilot to abort take-off, a spokesman for the airport said.
A probe into the incident has been ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
According to sources with the airline, the pilot had already received permission from the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) to take off.
Airport and ATC officials were not available for comment.
However, according to a senior airline official, it was a goof-up on part of the ATC officials and it will be fully investigated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
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Every one say that Pratibha is very superstitious, and that she wanted pilots of her flying squad to land in mumbai before a particular time.
The President's spokesperson has issued a statement categorically clarifying that the President's itinerary had been provided to all concerned well in advance! By the way , at least two 'copters were involved! I guess, its time for the 'blame game' to begin!
We must thank God for this incident as many lives were saved due to quick attention of the pilot. Hope there will be proper investagation in this matter and the culprits will be suspended for their negligence
The IAF chopper was never in contact with ATC ,it was never issued a clearance to land . The pilot had recklessly come in on his own probably high in the idea that he is above all rules!The ATC officer in Control Tower saw it first and told the pilot of IAC 866 to stop immediately . The pilot of IAC 866 did not respond to the first call. again the ATC officer repeated the instruction , only then the pilot acknowledged it. nine precious seconds were lost.Yet the airline pilot and the "senior IAC official " had the audacity to claim that the pilot had himself seen the chopper and stopped on his own .Soon the DGCA authorities will confirm this after hearing the replay of the ATC tapes .But will dear Rajan Shete and Sanjoy Gupta have the decency to say that your reporters should first get correct details after checking with the RED of AAI,Mumbai. he is the official spokesperson but strangely he has kept mum maybe because he cant bear to give ATC credit?will u now print the truth?
What else can one expect from guys employed because of their castes and religions---for 'social justice'! Thank God the passengers did not have to pay WITH THEIR LIVES for the upholding of 'social justice'!
Such goof-up could have cost so many lives ! The example should be set that every person responsible for such a goof-up is never spared.