In a startling incident on November 25, 2024, a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 experienced a rollback after arriving at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). The aircraft, operating flight SQ406 from Singapore, landed around 8 PM, but moments after docking at the parking bay, the pilots neglected to engage the parking brake, leading to a brief and alarming rollback.

Thankfully, the massive double-decker aircraft, known as the world's largest commercial passenger plane, did not collide with any other aircraft or ground vehicles during the mishap. Upon realizing the error, the pilots quickly applied the brakes to halt the aircraft's movement at approximately 8:14 PM. The airline later confirmed that all passengers were safely disembarked with no injuries reported, aside from a minor bruise sustained by one cabin crew member, who received prompt medical care and was cleared to continue duties.

According to airport sources, the parking bay in question features a slight slope designed to aid water drainage during rain. This design, while functional, can pose risks if the proper protocols are not observed. Standard safety procedures for parking aircraft state that the parking brake must be engaged immediately after the aircraft comes to a full stop, followed by the shutdown of the engines, and finally, the deployment of chocks to secure the aircraft in place.

In this incident, the pilots reportedly failed to set the parking brake before shutting down the engines, allowing gravity to take effect and causing the aircraft to roll back. The situation echoed a previous occurrence at IGI Airport just weeks earlier when Oman Air pilots accidentally started their plane's engines with an aerobridge connected, narrowly avoiding potential chaos.

This latest incident raises questions about adherence to safety protocols among flight crews and highlights the critical importance of thorough checklist procedures in aviation. Singapore Airlines has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety, emphasizing that all procedures will be reviewed to prevent such occurrences in the future.

As travelers continue to flock to international destinations, incidents like these remind us of the meticulousness required in aviation operations—and the potential risks when that discipline wavers.

Stay tuned for more updates, as investigations are likely to reveal further details about this alarming event at one of India’s busiest airports!