Close Call: Aircraft Skids Off Runway at Challenging Jubbarhatti Airport

An aircraft with over 30 passengers, including Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Director General of Police Atul Verma, overshot the runway at Jubbarhatti Airport on Monday. The airport's small, tabletop airstrip is known for its challenges, prompting immediate inspections to determine any technical issues.

An aircraft carrying over 30 passengers, including Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Director General of Police Atul Verma, overshot its landing at Jubbarhatti Airport Monday morning. The incident occurred when the plane missed the designated landing spot and collided with studs at the airstrip's edge, eyewitnesses reported.

The flight departed from Delhi after routine checks, and airport engineers are conducting inspections to ascertain any technical faults. Deputy Chief Minister Agnihotri described the small runway as a factor, expressing that the plane failed to touch down at the intended location, instead reaching the airstrip's end.

Jubbarhatti Airport's 1,230-metre runway presents unique challenges due to its tabletop layout, positioned atop an elevated plateau with sharp drops on either side. All passengers remained aboard for 20-25 minutes until the situation was addressed. Subsequent flights, such as the Dharamshala route, were subsequently cancelled.

(With inputs from agencies.)