Air India Plane Skids Off Mumbai Runway: Causes, Incident Details, and Next Steps
On July 21, 2025, an Air India Airbus A320, operating as flight AI-2744 from Kochi to Mumbai, skidded off the runway during landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) amid heavy monsoon rains. The incident, classified as a "runway excursion," caused minor damage to the aircraft and the runway but fortunately resulted in no injuries. This blog examines the causes, how the incident unfolded, and what to expect next as investigations proceed.
What Caused the Runway Excursion?
The primary trigger for the incident was the intense monsoon rainfall that drenched Mumbai on the morning of July 21, 2025. Heavy rain created slippery runway conditions, reducing traction and complicating deceleration after touchdown. Several factors likely contributed to the skid:
- Adverse Weather Conditions: Mumbai’s monsoon season is notorious for heavy rainfall and reduced visibility, which can challenge even experienced pilots. The runway was wet, likely increasing the risk of hydroplaning, where tyres lose grip on a water-covered surface.
- High Landing Speed or Misjudgment: Aviation experts suggest that landing too fast or too far down the runway could have prevented the aircraft from slowing sufficiently, especially on a wet surface where braking is less effective.
- Runway Characteristics: Mumbai’s Runway 27, the primary runway, is 3,445 meters long, but wet conditions can extend the stopping distance required. The aircraft veered 16-17 meters off the runway near the touchdown zone, indicating a possible misalignment during deceleration.
- Potential Technical Issues: While not confirmed, sources speculate that debris ingestion may have damaged the engine, and three tyres burst during the excursion, possibly exacerbating the loss of control. A Firstpost report mentioned "potential engine damage from debris suction," though official confirmation is pending.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating whether human error, such as pilot misjudgment, or mechanical factors played a role. Mumbai’s history of monsoon-related runway excursions, like the VSR Ventures Learjet incident in September 2023, underscores the recurring challenge of operating in such conditions.
How the Incident Unfolded
The incident occurred at 9:27 AM IST when Air India flight AI-2744, an Airbus A320 (registration VT-TYA), attempted to land on Runway 27. Here’s a timeline based on available reports:
- Landing Attempt: The aircraft touched down near the runway’s touchdown zone during heavy rainfall. Visibility was reduced, and the runway was slick from continuous showers.
- Loss of Control: During deceleration, the plane failed to stay aligned with the runway’s centerline, veering 16-17 meters off to the side. It skidded into an unpaved area, likely a grassy or muddy patch, before reaching an adjacent taxiway and coming to a halt.
- Damage Sustained: Three tyres burst during the excursion, and the engine cowling (outer casing) was damaged, possibly from debris or contact with the uneven terrain. Visuals from NDTV and India Today showed cracks in the engine’s outer casing.
- Safe Evacuation: Despite the damage, the aircraft remained structurally intact and taxied to a parking bay under its own power. All passengers and crew disembarked safely with no reported injuries.
- Runway Closure: The main runway (09/27) was temporarily closed for inspection due to minor surface damage caused by the skid and tyre debris. Mumbai airport activated its secondary runway (14/32) to maintain operations.
The airport’s emergency response teams, including fire, rescue, and technical crews, were deployed within minutes, ensuring a swift response. The aircraft was grounded for detailed inspections, and the DGCA dispatched a team to investigate.
What’s Next?
The incident has raised concerns about Air India’s safety protocols, especially following a deadly Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, which killed 260 people. Here are the next steps and implications:
- DGCA Investigation: The DGCA is conducting a thorough probe to determine the root cause, focusing on weather conditions, pilot actions, and potential mechanical issues. The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder will be analyzed to reconstruct the landing sequence.
- Aircraft Inspection: The Airbus A320 is grounded for comprehensive checks, particularly on the damaged engine and landing gear. Any debris-related damage or tyre failure will be scrutinized to assess maintenance practices.
- Runway Repairs: Mumbai airport is addressing minor damage to Runway 27, such as surface abrasions and debris impact. The runway is expected to resume operations soon, with the secondary runway handling traffic in the interim.
- Air India’s Safety Scrutiny: The airline faces heightened scrutiny after receiving nine show-cause notices from the DGCA in the past six months for safety violations. A Reuters investigation also revealed maintenance lapses at Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost arm, raising questions about fleet upkeep.
- Operational Adjustments: Mumbai airport may review monsoon landing protocols, as wet runways have caused multiple excursions in recent years. Enhanced pilot training for adverse weather and improved runway drainage systems could be prioritized.
- Public and Regulatory Pressure: Posts on X reflect public concern about Air India’s safety record, with some users questioning maintenance standards. Passengers and experts are calling for stricter regulations and transparency.
Broader Context: Air India’s Challenges
This incident adds to Air India’s turbulent 2025, following the Ahmedabad crash and other near-misses, such as a Delhi takeoff incident involving stall and ground proximity warnings. The airline, owned by the Tata Group, is under pressure to restore public trust amid its ambition to become a “world-class airline.” The European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s probe into Air India Express for falsified maintenance records further complicates the narrative.
India’s aviation sector faces unique challenges during the monsoon, with Mumbai’s coastal location amplifying risks. The Kozhikode crash in 2020, where an Air India Express Boeing 737 overshot a tabletop runway, killing 15, highlighted the dangers of wet runways and limited runway safety areas. Strengthening infrastructure, such as runway end safety areas (RESA), and adopting advanced weather forecasting could mitigate future risks.
Conclusion
The Air India runway excursion in Mumbai was a close call, with no loss of life but significant implications for safety and operations. Heavy monsoon rains likely played a central role, compounded by potential pilot or technical factors still under investigation. As the DGCA probes the incident and Air India faces growing scrutiny, the focus will be on improving maintenance, pilot training, and airport infrastructure to prevent similar scares. For now, the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew is a relief, but the incident underscores the need for vigilance in India’s high-stakes aviation environment.
Sources: Times of India, Reuters, India Today, LiveMint, The Independent, Posts on X
