Little chance of NYC-like air mishap in city

Mumbai: What are the chances of a small plane crashing into a Mumbai highrise? While theoretically it is a distinct possibility, but with no flying training activity happening in the city, experts say the chances are remote. Two or four-seater aircraft are hardly seen in the Mumbai sky. But once in a while, the odd piston-engine aircraft that comes in does fly dangerously close to the buildings.
"If you are flying a Cessna in Mumbai, the air traffic control allows you a vertical separation of only 500 feet from the ground. Though, as per safety norms, at least a vertical separation of 1,000 feet should be maintained," said an airline pilot.
Non-pressurised, piston-engine aircraft fly below 10,000 feet and as commercial air traffic is dense in Mumbai, the ATC authorities try to keep maximum vertical separation between both type of air traffic. The Juhu airport, which decades back saw much action on this front, practically sees only helicopter operations these days.
13/10/06 Times of India

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