Following a blip on the ATC radar, a search team was dispatched from Nagpur airport to locate the trainee pilot. She was found on the parallel taxiway in Mihan SEZ, typically used as a towaway facility for aircraft maintenance and overhaul depots. The incident has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for investigation.
The circumstances leading to the emergency landing are under scrutiny. Trained pilots typically rely on clear markings on runways and a visible cross sign on taxiways to navigate. The woman pilot, having lost contact with ATC, reportedly identified the taxiway during close descent, making it too late to change course towards the runway.
Abid Ruhi, the director of Nagpur Airport, stated that both the runway and taxiway are clearly marked. However, conflicting accounts exist, and formal statements are pending. ATC officials refrained from commenting, deferring to the DGCA for the investigation.
The trainee pilot, with over 140 hours of flying experience out of the required 200 for a commercial pilot license, was on her first solo flight to Nagpur. Gondia, where the pilot took off, houses the National Flying Training Institute (NFTI), a joint venture of the Airports Authority of India and Canada Aviation Electronics (CAE). IGRUA operates from Gondia during winters due to fog in Rae Bareli.
While the trainee was experienced, this particular sortie to Nagpur, known for its full-fledged commercial airport, was her first. The DGCA will conduct an inquiry to determine the cause of the incident and decide on any necessary future actions, including potential additional training hours for the pilot.