IndiGo flight from Navi Mumbai hits pole at Srinagar airport amid landing
Srinagar, February 3: An IndiGo aircraft arriving from Navi Mumbai struck a pole at Srinagar International Airport during its landing procedure on Monday, triggering an immediate safety review by airport authorities. No casualties or injuries have been reported.
The incident occurred as the flight was touching down on the runway. According to preliminary information, a part of the aircraft made contact with a pole located near the landing path. The exact sequence of events remains unclear, and aviation officials have declined to comment until a formal probe is completed.
IndiGo confirmed the incident and said that all passengers and crew members deplaned safely. In a statement, the airline said it has reported the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and is cooperating with the authorities to determine the cause. The aircraft has been grounded for inspection.
Srinagar airport, one of the few civil-military airfields in the region, frequently operates in challenging geographic and weather conditions. The area around the runway is surrounded by mountains, and approach paths require precision from pilots. However, aviation experts say that poles and other ground obstacles are usually placed well within safety margins, making such collisions rare.
The DGCA has ordered a technical investigation, which will examine whether the aircraft deviated from its prescribed approach path or whether the obstacle posed an unrecognised risk. Ground staff at the airport have been alerted to review the placement of ground equipment and lighting systems.
Flight operations continued without major disruption, though some departures were delayed briefly while the runway was inspected. Officials said the damaged pole was a minor light fixture and did not affect the structural integrity of the runway.
This incident comes at a time when the aviation sector in India is witnessing rapid growth, and safety audits have been intensified. Both the DGCA and airlines have been under scrutiny to ensure compliance with global safety standards.
Passengers on the affected flight were accommodated in later services, and the airline expressed regret for the inconvenience. “We are grateful that there were no injuries,” a spokesperson said. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority, and we will await the findings of the investigation.”
Authorities have cordoned off the area for forensic examination, and a detailed report is expected within the coming weeks.
