SpiceJet rejects charges of mid-air argument over landing

NEW DELHI: Refuting charges that pilots of its two flights argued mid-air over landing, SpiceJet today said at no point any rule or procedure was violated or safety compromised by the two aircrafts.

"The pilots in command of the two flights meticulously followed the instructions of Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and safety was not compromised. The pilots of these flights were never engaged in any argument or discussion to claim priority landing as alleged," a SpiceJet spokesperson said in a statement.

According to airport sources, pilots of Delhi-Indore (SG-2326) and Hyderabad-Indore (SG-1053) flights allegedly got into a "verbal duel" on Thursday evening over who should land first.

Elaborating the sequence of events, the spokesperson said the Hyderabad-Indore flight was scheduled to arrive at Indore from Hyderabad at 7:04 PM on that day.

While approaching the Indore airport, the pilot in command of SG-1053 contacted ATC Indore for landing directions and after completing procedure turn was cleared to 3,700 ft inbound for Instrument Landing System (ILS).

"Subsequently, the Delhi-Indore flight which was scheduled to arrive at Indore from Delhi at 7:10 PM contacted ATC Indore for landing directions. When flight from Hyderabad was cleared for ILS, ATC Indore advised pilot of flight from Delhi to descend to 5,000 ft," the statement said.

After the Hyderabad-Indore flight was cleared for intercepting localizer of Runway 25, the Delhi-Indore flight was cleared to proceed outbound maintaining 5,000 ft which was complied by the pilot of that flight.

"When the Hyderabad-Indore flight intercepted localizer Runway 25 at 3,700 ft proceeding inbound, the Delhi-Indore flight was maintaining 5,000 ft. At the same time ATC Indore cleared it to descend and it was cleared to descend to 4,000 ft. Thereafter, the Delhi-Indore flight descended to 3,700 ft as per procedure to intercept localizer for Runway 25," the statement said.

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