Prompt Action By Pilot Averted Head-On Collision With Another Plane, Says Mamata Banerjee

The Bengal government requested a report from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday after Banerjee's plane suffered turbulence, injuring her back and breast.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said another aircraft had come in front of her plane when she was returning to Kolkata from Varanasi and prompt action of the pilot averted a head-on collision.

The Bengal government sought a report from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday after Banerjee's chartered flight experienced mid-air turbulence, injuring her back, news agency PTI reported.

The state government also sought to know from the DGCA if approval was given for the route taken by Banerjee's chartered flight.

The incident happened when Mamata Banerjee was returning from Uttar Pradesh, where she campaigned for the Samajwadi Party. 

Speaking with reporters outside the Bengal Assembly, Mamata Banerjee said, "Another plane, all of a sudden, came in front of my aircraft. If the situation had continued for 10 more seconds, there would have been a head-on collision. It was due to the efficiency of the pilot that I survived. The plane climbed down 6,000 feet. I suffered injuries on my back and chest. I still have pain."

Banerjee also claimed that her plane did not fall into any air pocket, PTI reported.

The TMC supremo was on board a Dassault Falcon 2000, which is a 10.3-tonne lightweight plane with a capacity of carrying a maximum of 19 people, including two flight attendants.

On Friday evening, a chartered flight carrying Mamata Banerjee from Varanasi faced turbulence, causing the plane to rock violently.

The pilot managed to land it safely at Netaji Subhas Chandra International Airport. However, Banerjee suffered injuries caused by the steep climb-down the flight had to make to cope with the turbulence.

(With PTI Inputs)