Mumbai rains: Air India Express aircraft overshoots runway at Mumbai airport

As many as 89 people on board an Air India Express flight had a narrow escape on Tuesday as the aircraft overshot the runway while landing in heavy rains at the Mumbai airport.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Vijaywada to Mumbai stopped 10 feet beyond the runway end on the paved stopway.

“At around 2:50 pm, “Air India Express flight IX213 from Vijayawada to Mumbai while landing on alternate runway 14 stopped 10 feet beyond the runway end on the paved stopway,” an Air India Express spokesperson said.

“The aircraft had touched down correctly and used maximum braking but due to the slippery conditions caused by heavy rain, the aircraft could stop only at the stopway,” the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said no damage to the aircraft or airport property was reported and none of the passengers suffered any injury as the aircraft taxied on its own power to the parking bay.

Mumbai and its neighbouring areas had been experiencing heavy rains, disrupting railway services and affecting normal life.

Though none of the flight was cancelled or diverted, as much as 56 per cent of the landings and nearly all the departures were delayed at the Mumbai airport till 7:15 pm on Tuesday, as per a flight tracking portal.   

(With inputs from agencies)