Video | Jet Airways aircraft loses contact with Air Traffic Control, German fighters escort it to London

A Jet Airways Boeing-777 aircraft, in-flight from Mumbai to London on February 16 (Flight - 9W-118), overflying close to the German city Cologne lost contact with Air traffic control when its cockpit crew did not respond to ATC communications.

With no response from the Indian aircraft, German Air Force sent jets to escort the Jet aircraft. However, these planes managed to establish an intercept contact following which the Jet pilots established contact with the ATC. Once the communication was restored, the aircraft (VT-JEX) continued its flight to London.

Speaking on the incident, the Jet Airways spoksperson made the following Statement - 

“Contact between Jet Airways flight 9W 118, from Mumbai to London Heathrow, of February 16, 2017, and the local ATC, was briefly lost while flying over German airspace. Communication was safely restored within a few minutes. As a precaution, the German Air Force deployed its aircraft to ensure the safety of the flight and its guests. The flight with 330 guests and 15 crew subsequently landed at London without incident ".

Jet Airways has duly reported the matter to the concerned authorities including the DGCA. As part of the standard process, the flight crew of 9W 118 has been de-rostered pending investigation.”

A jet Airways flight 9W-118 while flying from Mumbai (India) to London Heathrow, EN (UK), was enroute at FL360 being handed over from Bratislava (Slovakia) to Prague (Czech Republic) Center when radio contact was lost with the aircraft, that continued along its planned flight track. Germany dispatched two Eurofighters to intercept the aircraft, the fighter aircraft were already airborne when radio contact with 9W-118 was restored via the emergency frequency about 60nm north of Nuremberg (Germany). 

Although radio contact was re-established, the fighter aircraft continued the intercept, ATC informed 9W-118 as well as the aircraft flying above and behind 9W-118 about the pending intercept. About 20nm north of Cologne (Germany) 9W-118 was seen accompanied by two fighter aircraft. 9W-118 continued to London for a safe landing.

On Feb 19th 2017, following release of initial coverage, The Aviation Herald received information that radio contact with the aircraft had been lost on hand off from Bratislava to Prague Center, a swap of digits is being suspected (the crew tuned 132.980MHz while the correct frequency was 132.890MHz). Germany dispatched two Eurofighter Aircraft when the Boeing 777 entered Germany's Airspace. 

Radio contact with the aircraft was restored about 60nm north of Nuremberg, the fighter aircraft began to slow down expecting the intercept would be aborted, a decision was made however to continue and complete the intercept. Air Traffic Control informed 9W-118 as well as the other aircraft, flying above and behind 9W-118, about the pending intercept.

The fighter aircraft met with 9W-118 northeast of Frankfurt (Germany) and were seen by ground observers at about 16:50Z about 20nm north of Cologne still at the side of 9W-118.