DGCA probes Delhi ground collision

India’s aviation regulator is investigating after a SpiceJet jet clipped an Akasa Air plane on the ground at Delhi airport, damaging both aircraft. (civilaviation.gov.in) The incident happened on April 16 at Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 1, near bay 106, when SpiceJet flight SG-124 arrived from Leh and Akasa flight QP-1406 was preparing to depart for Hyderabad. (civilaviation.gov.in) The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the Akasa Boeing 737 had been pushed back from bay 104 and was stationary for engine start when air traffic control cleared the SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 to taxi to bay 106 after the pilot reported visual separation. (theweek.in) The SpiceJet aircraft’s winglet struck the Akasa plane’s horizontal tail surface, a reminder that some of the highest-risk moments in aviation happen on the ground, where pilots, tug crews and controllers are all moving aircraft in tight spaces. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) No passengers or crew were injured, but both Boeing 737-family aircraft were grounded for inspection after visible damage. Reports said nearly 300 people were aboard the two flights combined. (newindianexpress.com) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the SpiceJet pilots and the air traffic control officer involved were taken off roster pending the inquiry. That step removes them from active duty while investigators review clearances, cockpit actions and apron positioning. (ndtv.com) Ground collisions are treated differently from runway crashes, but they still trigger safety reviews because a wingtip or tail strike can damage flight-control surfaces and sideline aircraft for days. Airlines also face knock-on delays when a narrow-body jet is pulled from service. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) This is the second Indian taxiway contact to draw national attention in 2026 after an Air India and IndiGo wingtip scrape in Mumbai on February 3, which also led to aircraft inspections and a DGCA probe. (rediff.com) The next step is the regulator’s fact-finding report, which will determine whether the breakdown began with taxi guidance, cockpit judgment, apron spacing or a combination of all three. (livemint.com)