Pilot error led to a private jet aircraft flying as low as 100m over Thimphu city on Saturday.
The aircraft, a twin engine Hawker 800 business jet, was en route to Paro airport, but had made a wrong turn at a waypoint or location determined by latitude/longitude, or physical geography, in this case, Chuzom.
The aircraft, instead of turning into Paro valley, turned towards Thimphu and, as it approached the city, it prepared to land. The air traffic control (ATC) tower at Paro airport even cleared the aircraft to land, not knowing it was headed in the wrong direction.
Several surprised Thimphu residents noticed that the aircraft’s wheels had been lowered and its flaps extended, as it flew low over the city.
It was around this time that ATC at Paro airport became aware of the problem. The aircraft should have been in visual range of the tower within 3-5 minutes after last contact at Chuzom waypoint. Additionally, information had also reached ATC that an aircraft was flying over Thimphu city.
ATC then contacted the pilot, who informed ATC that he was now heading for Takti, a waypoint prior to Chuzom.
ATC, along with the department of civil aviation (DCA), realising the pilot had got confused and lost, then cancelled the flight, and told the pilot to divert to Bagdogra airport in India.
Indian air force (IAF) squadron commander at Paro airport attributed the incident to “error of judgement” by the captain of the aircraft. The IAF squadron commander said that such an incident should not have occurred, given the information and navigational instruments at the pilot’s disposal.
The private jet aircraft had been chartered by Jai Prakash, and had four passengers on board.
17/04/12 Kunsel Online
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