Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (MS)

New Delhi, Jan 11: The pilots of GoAir flight G8-811, who did not follow the rules and landed the aircraft with 146 passengers on board on grass which would have resulted in a major air disaster have been suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

This serious lapse on the part of the pilots occurred at the Bengaluru airport on November 11, 2019 under foggy weather conditions. The pilots lost sight of the runway just 50 feet from the surface and instead of aborting the landing and following 'go around', the pilot in command pressed the touchdown button and landed the aircraft on the grassy surface on the left side of the runway and then applied full power to take off once again. Luckily the aircraft was saved from a major catastrophe.

The DGCA also said that the pilots failed to keep the aircraft at the centre of the runaway before landing and also did not monitor the cockpit instruments which give clear indication of a flight being deviated from the standard path. The co-pilot should have alerted the pilot in command about this serious error, but he also failed in his duties.

During the inquiry by the DGCA, both the pilots have accepted their error of judgement. While the pilot in command is kept on suspension from flying for six months, the co-pilot is barred from flying for three months.