Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 20 February 2021
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-86N (WL)
Owner/operator: Air India Express
Registration Number: VT-GHE
Location: Vijayawada Airport (VGA) – ÿ India
Phase of Flight: Taxi
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 70
Component Affected: Right-hand wing leading edge slats (no. 7 & 8)Right-hand wing leading edge slats (no. 7 & 8)
Investigating Agency: AAIB IndiaAAIB India
Category: Accident
An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft experienced a collision with a light pole during taxiing at Vijayawada Airport (VGA) on 07:11 UTC. The aircraft was instructed to backtrack to runway 08, vacate via taxiway A, and park at bay No. 04. A confused pilot and a monitoring pilot resulted in a navigational error, leading to a right-wing impact on an apron light mast.An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft experienced a collision with a light pole during taxiing at Vijayawada Airport (VGA) on 07:11 UTC. The aircraft was instructed to backtrack to runway 08, vacate via taxiway A, and park at bay No. 04. A confused pilot and a monitoring pilot resulted in a navigational error, leading to a right-wing impact on an apron light mast.

Description

Air India Express flight IX1676, a Boeing 737-800, hit a light pole during taxi at Vijayawada Airport (VGA), India. The aircraft had landed on runway 08 at 07:11 UTC and was cleared to back track on runway 08, vacate via taxiway A and park at bay No. 04. After entering taxiway A, the Pilot Flying appeared confused and asked the Pilot Monitoring about the assigned right turn for the parking bay. At that moment the PM was also confused. The markings on the apron were faded. However, the PF had turned the aircraft to the right and the aircraft was taxing slowly. Subsequently, the right wing hit one of the flood light mast on the apron. The right-hand wing leading edge slats no 7 & 8 were damaged. Probable cause`: The probable cause of accident was due to crew not following correct taxi marking. Contributory Factor i. Aeronautical charts published by AAI were not updated. ii. Non-standard taxiway and apron marking. iii. As PM was busy in head down duty, the outside situation was not being monitored while taxing. iv. Lack of surveillance by ATC. v. No action taken by aerodrome operator on repetitive observation by regulator on aerodrome marking.

Primary Cause

Crew negligence in following taxi marking procedures.Crew negligence in following taxi marking procedures.

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