Wednesday, February 16 2005 20:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A major disaster was averted at Chattrapati Shivaji International (CSI) airport in Mumbai today (Feb 16, 2005) when a Jet Airways Boeing abandoned take off after a private helicopter entered the runway even as another Boeing of the private airline had minutes earlier landed amidst full emergency measures.

There were 140 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 737-800 flight to Bangalore while the Bell helicopter, owned by Essar group, had five passengers heading for Hazira, airport officials said.

The Jet aircraft was on a roll for a take off when the commander Capt N Narang noticed at 14:30 hrs (IST) the chopper entering the runway leading to the flight being abandoned, the officials added. The helicopter, however, took off for its destination.

The Director General of Civil Aviation has begun an investigation and summoned the helicopter pilot for questioning, the official said.

Meanwhile, 20 minutes prior to the near miss incident, a Jet Airways flight landed safely amidst full emergency measures at CSI airport after the pilot was informed of tyre pieces being found on the runway after the Boeing 737-800 had taken off from Ahmedabad.

There were 133 passengers and crew on board the flight to Mumbai and the aircraft has since been grounded, officials said.