There’s a trolley on the tarmac

Calcutta: A luggage trolley crossed the path of an aircraft with over 100 people on board as it was taxiing for take-off at Calcutta airport last week.
“Ask the vehicle to get out of my way,” the shocked pilot of the Jet Airways flight told air traffic control as the plane ground to a halt.
He later said the brakes could be applied because the aircraft was moving at 20 kmph. If it had picked up speed, sudden braking or a change in course could have caused it to overturn.
Even a brush with a luggage trolley can damage a moving aircraft severely and endanger the lives of passengers, said an airport official.
The danger is becoming more real every day at the airport, where an increase in flights has led to congestion not only in the terminals but also on the tarmac.
On an average, 30 to 35 ground vehicles break rules to enter the tarmac or park in the vehicle movement area, said an airport source.
12/05/08 Sanjay Mandal/The Telegraph

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Categories: Airports May 2008, Safety May 2008