An IndiGo flight operating from Navi Mumbai to Srinagar met with a minor ground incident on Friday morning after the aircraft came into contact with a Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) pole while being parked at Srinagar International Airport. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were safe and no injuries were reported.
The incident took place shortly after the aircraft arrived in Srinagar and was being manoeuvred into its designated parking bay.
IndiGo Flight 6E 225 Hits VDGS Pole
The aircraft involved was IndiGo flight 6E 225, operated by an aircraft bearing registration VT-NOG.
According to airport authorities, the aircraft was being positioned at Bay No. 06 at around 9:02 am when it came into contact with the VDGS pole during the parking process.
A Visual Docking Guidance System is used at airports to help pilots position aircraft accurately while approaching their assigned parking stands.
The aircraft reportedly suffered some damage in the incident, although officials have not yet established the exact extent or nature of the damage.
All Passengers and Crew Members Safe
Despite the collision, there was no injury to passengers or crew members.
After the aircraft was brought to a stop, passengers and crew were safely deboarded using manual aircraft stairs and moved into the terminal building.
The incident therefore did not result in any reported casualties.
Airport officials said standard safety procedures were followed immediately after the aircraft made contact with the pole.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are now examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Officials have stressed that no conclusion has been reached regarding the cause at this stage. The incident will be investigated by the competent authorities in accordance with established aviation procedures.
The inquiry is expected to examine the aircraft’s parking manoeuvre and other relevant factors before determining exactly how the aircraft came into contact with the docking guidance equipment.
This distinction is important because the incident occurred while the aircraft was being positioned at the parking bay, rather than during an emergency landing or runway accident.
Srinagar Airport Operations Continue Normally
Despite the incident involving the IndiGo aircraft, normal airport operations continued.
Airport authorities said other arrivals and departures were operating according to schedule, with no major disruption reported following the incident.
The aircraft was handled separately while officials assessed the situation and initiated the required procedures.
Navi Mumbai-Srinagar Route
The incident involved a flight connecting Navi Mumbai International Airport and Srinagar, an increasingly important domestic route.
IndiGo currently operates direct services between Navi Mumbai and Srinagar, with the route covering roughly 1,685 kilometres and taking around 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Navi Mumbai International Airport has been expanding its domestic flight network since beginning operations, with IndiGo among the airlines operating from its terminal.
The incident is therefore likely to attract particular attention in Navi Mumbai, where NMIA is rapidly becoming an important aviation hub for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
No Passenger Injuries Reported
For passengers on board Flight 6E 225, the most important development was that everyone remained safe.
While the aircraft sustained damage after making contact with the docking guidance pole, there were no reports of injuries. Authorities will determine the extent of the aircraft damage and the circumstances that led to the incident as part of the investigation.
For now, airport officials have emphasised that the incident did not affect normal operations at Srinagar Airport.
The investigation will establish the exact cause, while aviation authorities continue to follow the prescribed procedures for such ground incidents.
