Blame-game continues on Mumbai near-miss,ATC rebutts IAF chief

Mumbai: The blame-game over the near-miss involving a Presidential chopper and a civilian plane in Mumbai continued today with the ATC rebutting IAF chief Fali H Major's claim that his pilots had been given clearance to land.
Citing the transcript of the communication between the Air Traffic Control and chopper pilots, an ATC official said, "The ATC approach radar had specifically instructed the IAF choppers to change frequency and get in contact with the control tower, and the communication was acknowledged by the leader of the formation, Pratap-1." The Approach Radar handles communication until an aircraft's final approach, while control tower clears a landing aircraft.
According to the transcript, at 9.18.49 am, the Approach Radar issued a command to the IAF chopper instructing: "Pratap-1. Contact Tower 1181 (which refers to radio frequency of Mumbai ATC control). Bye." The IAF chopper responded three seconds later: "Over to Tower, Jai Hind Sir." "The IAF choppers, however, then proceeded to land before asking the clearance from the control Tower," the ATC official said. "Even before a response from Pratap-1, the second chopper Pratap-2 from the formation landed at runway 27 at around 09.17 AM."
12/02/09 Press Trust of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India Domestic Feb 2009, Airports Feb 2009, NACIL Feb 2009, Safety Feb 2009