IAF aircraft overshoots runway at Mumbai airport

The AN-32 aircraft built during the Soviet era has been IAF's all-weather friend transporting men and material during crisis situations and helping India's disaster-hit zones during earthquakes and floods.

Image only for representational purpose

New Delhi: In a shocking incident, an Indian Air Force AN-32 overran runway 27 while departing from Mumbai Airport. As per reports, the incident took place on Tuesday night when the aircraft was departing for Yelahanka Air Force near Bengaluru, Karnataka. Luckily, no injuries were reported. Speaking on the incident, Airport Authorities said, “We confirm departing Air force Aircraft had runway excursion at 2339 hours at RWY 27.” Runway 27 at Mumbai Airport which it overran isn't available for operations. An inquiry has been ordered to find the reason behind the incident. The AN-32 aircraft built during the Soviet era has been IAF's all-weather friend transporting men and material during crisis situations and helping India's disaster-hit zones during earthquakes and floods.

Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft AN-32 was departing for Yelahanka Air Force near Bengaluru, Karnataka. No injuries reported. Runway 27 at Mumbai Airport which it overran isn't available for operations https://t.co/71isOmOXmR

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2019

The city-based Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the country's second busiest airport after New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, has two crossing runways -- 0927 (the main runway) and 1432 (the secondary runway) which together handle a little over 1,000 arrivals and departures per day. A large part of the operations is carried out from the main runway. The aircraft is primarily used to transport cargo over long and short distances and it also helps in firefighting and medical emergencies. More details on the same are awaited.