Daijiworld Media Network - Shimla

Shimla, Mar 25: A major aviation mishap was narrowly avoided at Jubbarhatti Airport on Monday morning when a flight carrying over 30 passengers, including Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Director General of Police Atul Verma, overshot the runway during landing.

According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft crossed the designated landing zone and hit the runway’s edge studs before coming to a halt. The incident raised serious concerns about the airport's short runway and challenging terrain.

The flight had taken off from Delhi after routine safety checks, and airport authorities have now launched an investigation to determine if a technical malfunction was responsible.

Narrow Escape for Passengers

Speaking about the incident, Deputy CM Agnihotri acknowledged the challenges posed by the airport’s infrastructure.

"The runway at Jubbarhatti is small, and we cannot ignore this fact. From a layman’s perspective, the plane did not touch down where it was supposed to and ended up near the edge of the airstrip," he said.

Fortunately, the aircraft remained on the runway, preventing a potential disaster. However, the abrupt landing caused one of the plane’s tyres to burst.

Flight Cancellations and Investigation Underway

In light of the incident, airport authorities canceled the next scheduled flight to Dharamshala as a precautionary measure.

While the exact cause of the partial-runway landing remains unknown, aviation officials and technical teams are currently conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft for possible mechanical faults.

Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.