AI Flight Skidded Off Mumbai Runway, Panic Grips Passengers

AI Flight Skidded Off Mumbai Runway — Panic Grips Passengers!

It was a regular rainy Monday in Mumbai until Air India flight AI2744 turned a normal landing into a scary moment. The plane coming from Kochi skidded off the runway while landing at Mumbai Airport, causing panic among passengers. Due to heavy rain, the aircraft couldn’t stop properly and slid sideways off the track. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the experience was terrifying. This article breaks down exactly what happened—in simple words anyone can understand. Let’s dive into the full story.

1. Passengers Screamed as Plane Veered Off Track – Here’s the Full Story
2. Heavy Rains, Bursting Tyres & Engine Fears: Inside the Air India AI2744 Incident
3. Could This Have Been a Disaster? How a Major Mishap Was Narrowly Avoided

A Normal Landing Turned Scary: What Happened on July 21, 2025?

On a rainy Monday morning, July 21, 2025, what was supposed to be a regular flight turned into a heart-stopping moment for 160+ passengers onboard Air India flight AI2744. The aircraft was coming from Kochi to Mumbai. But as it attempted to land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, things quickly went off course—literally.

At exactly 9:27 AM, the flight touched down on Runway 27. But due to heavy rain and extremely slippery conditions, the plane skidded off the runway. Reports later confirmed that the aircraft veered 16 to 17 meters off track and entered an unpaved area, crossing over to a taxiway before finally stopping.

“For a few seconds, we thought this could be the end,” said a visibly shaken passenger, according to eyewitness accounts.

The Immediate Impact: Tyres Burst, Engine at Risk?

Right after the plane skidded off the runway, reports said that three tyres of the aircraft burst. This can happen when a plane moves over rough or uneven ground at high speed, which puts extra pressure on the tyres. Some news sources, like Firstpost, also mentioned that the engine might have sucked in dirt or small stones when the plane left the runway. This is dangerous because it can damage parts inside the engine, making it unsafe to fly.

So far, there is no official confirmation about engine damage, but experts are checking everything. What’s clear is that the plane went through a lot of stress during this incident. The aircraft has now been grounded for safety checks, and it won’t fly again until all inspections are done and it’s confirmed safe.

Air India’s Official Statement

In an official press release, an Air India spokesperson confirmed:

Flight AI2744, operating from Kochi to Mumbai on July 21, 2025, experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion after touchdown. The aircraft taxied safely and all passengers and crew disembarked without incident. The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority.

Despite the visible damage to the aircraft shown in circulating images, the airline clarified that the aircraft was not disabled. It managed to taxi under its own power and reach the parking bay safely.

The Real Villain: Mumbai’s Monsoon Fury

Mumbai’s monsoon season is famous for heavy rains that often cause travel problems. On the day of the Air India incident, it had been raining non-stop for hours. The runway was wet and slippery, which made it very hard for the plane to stop properly after landing.

Because of all the rain, water collects on the runway, making it harder for the tyres to grip the ground. Also, pilots can’t see clearly in such weather, and the plane’s brakes don’t work as well on wet surfaces.

Experts say that runway excursions (when planes go off track) often happen in bad weather, especially when runways are wet. Even highly trained pilots can face challenges during heavy rain. So, while the plane and crew did their best, Mumbai’s strong rains played a big role in this scary moment. It shows how powerful weather can be in air travel.

What is a Runway Excursion?

A runway excursion happens when a plane goes off the runway during takeoff or landing. This can happen in two ways — it either slides off the side of the runway (called a lateral excursion) or it goes too far ahead and crosses the end of the runway (called a longitudinal excursion).

In the case of Air India flight AI2744, the plane slid off to the side of the runway while trying to land in heavy rain. This kind of event can be dangerous and is often caused by bad weather or slippery runways.

DGCA Investigation Underway

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the main body in India that looks after the safety of air travel. After the Air India plane skidded off the runway in Mumbai, the DGCA quickly sent a team to investigate the incident. Their job is to find out exactly what went wrong and make sure such events don’t happen again.

Here’s what the DGCA team is doing:

1. Check the black box (flight data recorder) to understand what happened in the cockpit.
2. Inspect the tyres, engine, and body of the aircraft for any damage.
3. Talk to the pilots and crew to know what they experienced.
4. Study weather reports and the condition of the runway during landing.
5. Keep the plane grounded until all checks are complete.

What Could Have Gone Wrong?

While we are still waiting for the final report from the DGCA, experts believe that several things may have caused the Air India plane to skid off the runway. Here’s what might have gone wrong:

1. Heavy rain and poor visibility made it harder for the pilots to see clearly and control the aircraft during landing.
2. Hydroplaning could have happened. This is when a layer of water builds up between the plane’s tyres and the runway, reducing grip, like a car sliding on a wet road.
3. There might have been a small mistake in braking or steering by the pilot during landing.
4. Strong winds or sudden changes in wind direction (called wind shear or crosswinds) can also push the plane off its path.

Even with all these possible problems, the pilots handled the situation very well. They managed to stop the aircraft safely and made sure that all passengers and crew were unharmed. That’s a big relief!

No Lives Lost, But It Could’ve Been Worse

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the most important part of this story—everyone on board was safe. No one got hurt. There was no fire, no crash, and no panic at the airport. That’s a huge relief for the passengers, their families, and the airline.

Even though the plane skidded off the runway, the crew stayed calm and followed all safety steps. Their quick thinking and proper training helped avoid what could have been a much worse situation.

This incident is a strong reminder that aviation safety, pilot training, and emergency planning are extremely important—especially when flying in bad weather like heavy rain. It shows how being prepared and staying alert can save lives, even when things go wrong.

Images Show Minor Damage

Photos shared online and by news outlets show that the aircraft suffered only minor damage during the runway incident. Here’s what can be seen in the images:

1. Scuffed tyres – likely due to the rough surface when the plane slid off the runway.
2. Scratches under the plane – called undercarriage scrapes, caused when the belly or landing gear touches uneven ground.
3. Slight dents or marks on the body – this is known as cosmetic damage to the fuselage (the main body of the plane).

The good news is, aviation experts have confirmed that the aircraft was not badly damaged. It was able to move on its own and taxied safely to the parking area. Engineers will now check everything carefully, and after the DGCA gives the final clearance, the plane can be repaired and returned to service. Safety checks are always the top priority before any flight.

Why This Matters: India’s Aviation Safety in Focus

India is now one of the fastest-growing countries in air travel. Every day, more people are flying, and airlines are adding new flights. But as the number of flights increases, so does the pressure on airports, pilots, and safety systems.

Take Mumbai Airport for example—it manages more than 900 flights every single day. That’s a lot of planes taking off and landing! When there’s heavy rain or bad weather, it becomes harder to keep things safe. That’s why airports must always be ready with good systems and trained staff to handle any situation quickly and safely.

To avoid incidents like this in the future, airports need to:

1. Improve rainwater drainage on runways.
2. Make sure the runway surface has a strong grip, even in wet weather.
3. Use better weather monitoring tools to give pilots real-time updates.
4. Train ground staff and crew regularly for emergency handling.

Incidents like this are wake-up calls. They show why aviation safety, regular checks, and smart planning are so important for keeping passengers safe.

What You Should Know as a Passenger

While flying is one of the safest ways to travel, it’s still important to know how to stay safe and be prepared, especially during tricky weather like heavy rain. Here are a few simple but important tips every passenger should follow:

1. Always wear your seatbelt during landing and takeoff, even if the seatbelt sign is off. Sudden movements can happen anytime.
2. Read the safety instructions placed in the seat pocket. It only takes a minute but can help you stay calm during emergencies.
3. Check the weather forecast before your flight—especially in the monsoon season. It helps you understand possible delays or turbulence.
4. If anything unusual happens, don’t panic. Stay calm and listen to the cabin crew—they are trained to handle emergencies.
5. Avoid crowding the aisle during landing or incidents. Follow instructions and wait for announcements.

These simple habits can make your flight safer and less stressful.

FAQs

AI Flight Skidded Off Mumbai Runway

1. Was anyone injured in the Air India runway incident?
No. Thankfully, all passengers and crew members were safe and unharmed. Everyone disembarked normally.

2. What is a runway excursion?
A runway excursion happens when an aircraft slides off or overshoots the runway, typically due to bad weather, mechanical issues, or pilot error.

3. Will the aircraft fly again?
The plane is currently grounded for safety checks by DGCA. It may return to service once cleared.

4. Did the engine get damaged?
There are unconfirmed reports of engine debris ingestion, but a detailed DGCA report will confirm the extent of any damage.

5. Is it safe to fly in the monsoon?
Yes, commercial planes are built to handle rain. However, delays or incidents can happen, especially in extreme weather. Safety remains the top priority.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call, Not a Tragedy

AI Flight Skidded Off Mumbai Runway

The incident on July 21 was scary and could have ended badly. An Air India flight skidded off the runway in Mumbai during heavy rain. Passengers were shocked and panicked, but luckily, no one was hurt. The situation was handled well, and the plane was safely brought to a stop.

This shows how important proper training, quick action, and strong safety rules are in air travel. The pilots and crew did a great job under pressure. It also reminds us that bad weather can make flying more difficult, and everyone—from airport staff to airlines—must be prepared.

This is not just an incident to forget—it’s a wake-up call. It’s a chance for Air India, the DGCA, and other airlines to review what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future. Improving runway safety, aircraft checks, and pilot support during extreme weather must now be a top priority.

Thankfully, this was not a tragedy, but it could have been. So let’s learn from it and work towards making air travel even safer for everyone. Because when it comes to flying, safety should always come first.

Video Credit: NDTV (YouTube)