Boeing 737-86J (WL) – VT-SGK

Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 6 November 2014

Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-86J (WL)

Owner/operator: SpiceJet

Registration Number: VT-SGK

Location: Surat Gujarat Airport (STV) – ÿ India

Phase of Flight: Take off

Status: Substantial, repaired

Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 157

Component Affected: Engine cowl and engine sides.Engine cowl and engine sides.

Investigating Agency: AAIB IndiaAAIB India

Category: Accident

On October 26, 2023, SpiceJet Flight SG622 experienced a significant incident upon takeoff from Surat to Delhi. The aircraft sustained substantial damage after colliding with a buffalo on the takeoff roll. The flight was immediately cleared for takeoff, and the pilot requested a runway 04 departure. After takeoff, the aircraft tracked back to Delhi and was cleared for take-off. During takeoff, the pilot reported a brief, unsettling visual disturbance ? a moving object in his peripheral vision ? followed by a bang and a sensation of a bump. The pilot immediately initiated a rejected takeoff, and the flight crew reported hitting a dog on the runway, returning to the apron. Upon inspection, the engine cowl was severely damaged, and the sides of the engine exhibited holes. The pilot in command determined the need to disembark all passengers, and the fire station contacted ATC to confirm the situation and request permission to enter the runway. ATC instructed the fire personnel not to enter the runway, and ATC stated the operations were normal. A CNS operational jeep then crossed the runway, and the driver reported two buffaloes on the runway. The runway was immediately closed for operations. The accident was likely caused by the aircraft colliding with a buffalo standing on the runway, resulting in damage to the engine. The buffalo’s presence breached the boundary wall, leading to the runway being closed.On October 26, 2023, SpiceJet Flight SG622 experienced a significant incident upon takeoff from Surat to Delhi. The aircraft sustained substantial damage after colliding with a buffalo on the takeoff roll. The flight was immediately cleared for takeoff, and the pilot requested a runway 04 departure. After takeoff, the aircraft tracked back to Delhi and was cleared for take-off. During takeoff, the pilot reported a brief, unsettling visual disturbance ? a moving object in his peripheral vision ? followed by a bang and a sensation of a bump. The pilot immediately initiated a rejected takeoff, and the flight crew reported hitting a dog on the runway, returning to the apron. Upon inspection, the engine cowl was severely damaged, and the sides of the engine exhibited holes. The pilot in command determined the need to disembark all passengers, and the fire station contacted ATC to confirm the situation and request permission to enter the runway. ATC instructed the fire personnel not to enter the runway, and ATC stated the operations were normal. A CNS operational jeep then crossed the runway, and the driver reported two buffaloes on the runway. The runway was immediately closed for operations. The accident was likely caused by the aircraft colliding with a buffalo standing on the runway, resulting in damage to the engine. The buffalo’s presence breached the boundary wall, leading to the runway being closed.

Description

SpiceJet flight SG622 from Surat to Delhi, India sustained substantial damage after hitting a buffalo on takeoff. A runway inspection had been accomplished about 12:46 UTC, just prior to the arrival of the aircraft from Delhi. No issues were noted. For the flight back to Delhi, the pilot requested a runway 04 departure. The aircraft was given taxi clearance via taxiway A. The visibility reported at the time of departure was 6 km with calm winds. Temperature and dew point were 29øC and 15øC respectively. After entering the runway, aircraft backtracked, lined up on runway 04 and reported ready for take-off at 13:35 UTC. Immediately the aircraft was cleared for take-off. During take-off roll at a speed of about 78 knots, the pilot saw something moving towards the aircraft in his peripheral vision. It was otherwise pitch dark and nothing was visible beyond the nose lighting of the aircraft. Thereafter the flight crew heard a bang and it felt as if the aircraft had gone over a bump. The pilot immediately called for a rejected takeoff. The flight crew reported that they had hit a dog on the runway and that they were returning to the apron. During a subsequent walk around inspection the pilot in command observed that the engine cowl was badly damaged and there were holes on the sides of engine. It was decided to disembark all passengers. The fire station in the mean time called ATC to confirm whether there was a problem with SpiceJet aircraft and asked for permission to enter runway. ATC instructed fire personnel not to enter runway. ATC stated that all operations were normal and that the aircraft had hit an animal. A CNS operational jeep then requested ATC to cross the runway, which was granted. The jeep driver then reported to the Tower controller that there were two buffalos on the runway. One was dead and the other was roaming on the runway. The runway was immediately closed for operations. After removal of the dead buffalo and inspection of the runway it was declared operational again. Probable cause of the accident: The accident was caused as the aircraft during its initial take-off roll hit an animal (buffalo) standing on the runway, resulting in damage to its engine. The animal entered the operational area and the runway because of several breaches in the boundary wall.