Pilot error led to landing goof-up

Kolkata: Preliminary investigation into Monday evening’s near disaster at Kolkata airport points to pilot error, revealed sources at the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The pilot and co-pilot of the SpiceJet flight from Bagdogra have been grounded till then.
On Monday evening, the aircraft was cleared to land on the secondary runway as the primary one was under repair. The pilot, however, landed on the primary runway and screeched to a halt barely a few hundred metres from where work was on. The DGCA swung into action and initiated an inquiry late at night.
"Transcripts of the interaction between the pilot and the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) revealed that the aircraft was cleared for landing on the secondary runway. Immediately after it landed on the primary one, ATC ordered the pilot to apply brakes and the latter did so," a DGCA official said.
Captain Cohen, the US pilot commanding the aircraft, and his Indian co-pilot have been derostered. Not only will they not receive any pay till the probe is completed, the incident will also have an impact on their future prospects.
"Whenever a promotion is due, the pilot’s records for the last five years are scanned. If any investigation has been initiated against him, his hopes are dashed. It may also affect his chances of opting for better career options," a veteran pilot said.
The pilot and co-pilot met the air safety officer in Kolkata late on Monday and submitted written statements. According to Cohen, he was about to land when he realised his mistake. He was barely two feet from the ground then and was ordered by the ATC to apply brakes. The pilot could not explain his error of judgement.
03/12/08 TImes of India

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Categories: Airports Dec 2008, Safety Dec 2008, SpiceJet Dec 2008