Flight AI-2744 from Kochi to Mumbai overshot the rain-slicked main runway on Monday morning, bursting three tyres and sliding into an unpaved area before safely taxiing to a bay. The incident forced the shutdown of Runway 27 and prompted an immediate safety probe by the DGCA.
BY PC Bureau
July 21, 2025 — A major aviation incident was narrowly averted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday morning when an Air India aircraft skidded off the main runway during landing in heavy rainfall. All 141 passengers and crew aboard were safe, but the incident led to the temporary closure of the airport’s primary runway and has triggered an investigation by aviation regulators.
The incident occurred at 9:27 AM when Flight AI-2744, an Airbus A320 (registration VT-TYA), arriving from Kochi, attempted to land on Runway 27 — the airport’s principal landing strip. According to initial reports, the aircraft touched down near the standard touchdown zone, but shortly after deceleration began, it veered 16 to 17 metres off the paved surface, skidding onto a grassy, unpaved safety area, then re-entering a taxiway before coming to a halt.
Despite the runway excursion, the aircraft remained intact and taxied safely under its own power to the designated parking stand. However, sources confirmed that three tyres burst during the off-runway excursion and minor damage was caused to the aircraft undercarriage and to the primary runway (09/27) surface.
Emergency Response and Airport Operations
Emergency protocols were immediately triggered. Airport rescue and fire fighting teams (ARFF) rushed to the site as per SOP. “The aircraft experienced a runway excursion but was able to taxi safely. All passengers and crew disembarked without injury. The aircraft has been grounded for further inspection,” an Air India spokesperson confirmed.
Air India flight veers off runway at Mumbai Airport today in the morning and after landing three tyre has also burst. All passengers and crew reported safe. #AirIndia #avgeeks pic.twitter.com/cl1AcZWShS
— Ashoke Raj (@Ashoke_Raj) July 21, 2025
In a statement, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) said: “An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at CSMIA at 09:27 hours on 21 July 2025. CSMIA’s emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the incident. Minor damages have been reported to the primary runway. All passengers and crew are safe.”
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Due to the damage and the need for a safety inspection, Runway 09/27 was closed, and the secondary runway (14/32) was activated to prevent disruptions in flight operations. Several incoming flights experienced minor delays and holding patterns, but no major diversions were reported as of noon.
Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) arrived at the airport shortly after the incident to initiate a technical inquiry. The investigation will examine potential contributing factors such as runway surface condition, aircraft braking performance, and pilot handling in wet conditions.
An official involved in the probe stated:
“Initial reports suggest the aircraft touched down properly but may have experienced aquaplaning or delayed braking response due to standing water. The exact cause will be determined after FDR (Flight Data Recorder) and CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) analysis.”
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Runway excursions are categorized as serious incidents due to the potential for significant damage and danger. Mumbai’s main runway has Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) and various friction testing mechanisms, but the city’s notoriously heavy monsoon downpours are known to reduce braking efficiency.
This is not the first such incident at Mumbai airport during the rainy season. In past years, multiple aircraft — including SpiceJet, GoAir, and Indigo flights — have faced similar runway excursions or aborted landings due to slippery conditions and reduced visibility.
Aviation experts note that while pilots are trained for such landings, localized weather anomalies, such as sudden wind gusts or surface water accumulation, can create unpredictable outcomes.
While Monday’s incident ended without casualties, the questions it raises — regarding runway drainage, wet-weather SOPs, and real-time surface condition alerts — are likely to dominate the upcoming DGCA inquiry and airline audits.
The Air India spokesperson reiterated: “Passenger safety is our utmost priority. All standard protocols were followed. We are cooperating fully with the authorities to determine the root cause.”
The A320 aircraft will remain grounded until a full technical and airworthiness inspection is completed. It was not immediately clear how long the primary runway would remain partially closed for repairs and friction testing.
