The Airport Authority of India (AAI) in Ahmedabad has set up a committee to review the “loss of communication” between Air Traffic Control (ATC) officials and the pilots that had led to a mid-air crisis for nearly half-an-hour last Sunday. Although no damage was done due to the communication failure, officials said.
According to airport sources, during the peak hours the very high frequency (VHF) radio communication with ATC and the cockpit was dead for nearly 30 minutes. Because of the frequency failure, the communication between the pilots and ATC officials got paralysed.
The situation had delayed several flights. Sources said due to the alarming situation two mid-air flights had come closer. However, it was not reported as AIRPROX, a code word for aircraft proximity, a situation when two flights come dangerously close.
“The loss of communication created panic in the ATC tower. The officials tried to use the alternative options to communicate with the pilots on different frequencies. However, for half-an-hour the ATC officials remained in panic until the problem was solved,” sources said.
The review committee would reportedly submit the report by next week.
