Air India and Nepal Airlines planes almost collided mid air, 3 Controllers Suspended

Air India flight was saved from being a victim of a major accident. According to reports, collision with Nepal Airlines plane has been averted. According to reports, a major plane crash was averted after two planes collided in Nepal's airspace. In the event of a plane crash, there was a possibility of endangering the lives of many people, but in time both the planes were saved from colliding in the air. All passengers are safe. 

A Zee News report on averted disaster in Nepal quoted news agency PTI as saying, Air India and Nepal Airlines aircraft were about to collide mid-air, but due to good luck and understanding of the pilot, the incident was averted. 

According to this report the incident was to happen on Friday, March 24. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has suspended two employees of the air traffic controller after a major accident was averted. 

Both the officers have come under fire for anticipating a mid-air collision and risking the lives of hundreds of passengers on board. Officials said in a statement issued on March 26 that the warning system was working properly. That's why both the pilots became alert. The disaster could be averted due to timely action. 

At what height were the planes going to collide? 

According to the report, the incident took place on Friday morning when the Nepal Airlines flight returning from Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, was at an altitude of about 15,000 feet. 

The Air India flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu was at an altitude of 19,000 feet and was descending slowly for landing. Due to the difference of only four thousand feet between the two planes in mid-air and landing at the same airport, both the planes almost collided. 

Formation of a three-member inquiry committee

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said the two planes were seen very close on the radar. In such a situation, the Nepal Airlines plane descended below 7,000 feet. 

After the collision of the planes was averted, the Civil Aviation Authority constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter. CAAN has suspended the two officials who were in charge of the control room at the time of both the flights.

The pilot-in-command admitted his mistake

According to CAAN spokesperson Jagannath Niroula, "The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has suspended two employees of the Air Traffic Control Department for 'negligence' in duty." CAAN also interrogated the crew after the flight landed in Kathmandu the same day. As per the PTI report, the pilot-in-command also accepted his mistake and apologized for it.

Air India pilot will be banned?

Besides this, CAAN has also decided to ban the pilots who were flying the Air India aircraft at the time of the incident. A letter has been written to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA-India) in this regard. CAAN has written to the Indian commission about the decision.