Ahmedabad witnessed one of the country's most horrific air disasters on June 12. After takeoff that day, an Air India Dreamliner crashed, killing over 250 people.
On September 18, an army helicopter suddenly approached an Indigo aircraft preparing to land in Kolkata. The Indigo flight was carrying over a hundred passengers. At the last moment, Kolkata airport's Air Traffic Control (ATC) detected the helicopter's presence and instructed the Indigo pilot to deviate from his designated route. Aviation experts claim that had Indigo not altered course in time, there was a significant risk of a major accident. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
An army source revealed that from September 15 to 17, a Combined Commanders' Conference of the Air Force, Navy, and Army were held in Kolkata itself. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and the highest-ranking officials from the three forces had come to Kolkata for this event. There was considerable helicopter movement before and after the conference. Many helicopters also took off and landed from Barrackpore during those days. The helicopter that approached the Indigo flight that day reportedly took off from Barrackpore as well.
ATC officers explain that when aircraft coming from the west need to land in Kolkata via Birati, they often have to fly over Barrackpore. Sources report that on the day in question, Indigo's 6E-307 flight from Hyderabad was approaching the airspace around Barrackpore. It was nearly 1:45 in the afternoon. Suddenly, an 'object' (in this case, the helicopter) was observed entering the aircraft's 'approach path' (the route the plane takes for landing). The Indigo pilot was immediately instructed to abandon that approach path and veer left. The flight subsequently circled back and landed in Kolkata.
A source from the Civil Aviation Ministry has stated that, like other military bases, Barrackpore is also a 'restricted area'. All civilian aircraft avoid this restricted zone. The source claims that no fighter jet movements occur from Barrackpore. However, Air Force helicopters frequently take off and land there.
According to regulations, Air Force helicopters taking off from Barrackpore are supposed to operate up to four thousand feet above ground level. In such cases, they don't need to coordinate with Kolkata's ATC. However, if a military helicopter wishes to ascend above four thousand feet, such coordination becomes necessary. In those instances, Kolkata's ATC is aware of the helicopter's movements and regulates civilian aircraft traffic accordingly.
Moreover, passenger aircraft are not supposed to descend below four thousand feet in this 'restricted area'. Doing so is considered a violation of rules. In this context, questions have been raised about whether proper coordination occurred on September 18. Concerns have also been voiced about whether the army helicopter had indeed ascended above the four thousand feet threshold, or if the Indigo flight had descended below it.
Experts explain that passenger aircraft are equipped to receive signals when another aircraft or drone approaches too closely. In this case, the Indigo pilot would have received a cockpit alert if the helicopter had come near. However, the ATC warned and redirected him before that could happen. Experienced pilots note, "Such incidents on the approach path are extremely dangerous. It requires intense concentration at that time. Even a slight deviation could potentially lead to a major disaster."
