Air India Pilots Attempt Takeoff from Taxiway at Goa Airport

In a serious aviation safety incident, Air India (AI) pilots attempted to takeoff from a taxiway at Goa’s Manohar International Airport (GOX) on December 5, 2024. The swift action of the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and the flight crew averted what could have been a disastrous event.

Details of the Incident

The incident involved Air India flight AI2592, which was scheduled to fly from Goa (GOX) to Hyderabad (HYD). The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, registered as VT-EXT, was 7.7 years old and began its takeoff roll at 3:47 AM UTC. However, instead of using the designated Runway 10/28, the pilots mistakenly initiated the takeoff from Taxiway A.

The ATC promptly alerted the flight crew when the plane was already moving at over 100 knots and nearing the point of liftoff. Upon receiving the warning, the pilots quickly rejected the takeoff, bringing the aircraft to a halt at A2 point on the taxiway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew onboard.

Following the incident, the aircraft used the runway to turn around and returned to the terminal. The flight was subsequently canceled, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation safety authority, launched a formal investigation into the event.

DGCA Response

The DGCA has classified this event as a significant safety breach and ordered Air India to provide a detailed analysis report. This probe aims to determine how such an error occurred and to ensure that steps are taken to prevent a recurrence. The incident highlights the critical importance of precise communication and navigational clarity in aviation operations.

Other Similar Incidents

This is not the first time such an error has occurred. Aviation history has seen other events where flights faced navigational challenges, leading to similar mishaps:

• February 2024 – IndiGo Airlines: An IndiGo Airbus A320 operating flight 6E2221 from Amritsar to Delhi experienced a navigational anomaly during landing at Delhi International Airport (DEL). The plane missed its intended taxiway and ended up at the runway’s dead end. This disruption caused a brief closure of Runway 28/10 for 15 minutes.
• Southwest Airlines Incident: In another notable event, a Dallas-based Southwest Airlines flight (WN4805) departed from a closed runway. The flight, traveling from Portland, Maine, to Baltimore, Maryland, took off at 5:42 AM, despite a clear Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) prohibiting runway usage until 5:45 AM.

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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