ON A COLLISION COURSE

Avoidance, the Only Solution

ON OCTOBER 26, 1992, as an Indian Airlines Boeing 737, Flight number IC 467, approached the Goa airfield, its commander asked the ATC (Air Traffic Controller) for permission to land. He was asked by the ATC to delay landing, and to maintain his altitude at 3,000 feet to allow an Indian Navy aircraft to take off. The Indian Airlines pilot complied with these instructions and was manoeuvring at that height to initiate his approach when he spotted a Navy aircraft call sign 303, less than half a nautical mile away and very obviously on a collision course. The IA Commander promptly reduced speed and dived 300 feet to avoid a catastrophe. This split second decision saved the situation.

Those who insist on going forward, when wisdom dictates retreat, will do little except add to the chapters of destruction in history

This incident may appear to relate solely to the world of aviation, but it has a great lesson for the everyday world. The human journey through life is also made on exactly the same principle as was followed by the quickthinking pilot. Two aeroplanes on a collision course were both going to be destroyed in a matter of seconds. At the crucial moment, one aeroplane dived below the other and as a result of this ‘retreat’, both were saved from disaster.

This incident shows that just as advancing is necessary to succeed in life, so is retreating. In this world, sometimes, retreat is more desirable than forward movement. When there is fear of a head-on collision, avoidance is the only solution.

Those who insist on going forward, when wisdom dictates retreat, will do little except add to the chapters of destruction in history. Their so-called advance will culminate for their nation in final and eternal retreat.

We must set our goals in life in terms of
intellectual achievement and not in terms of
material achievement.