Mumbai, Diwali day 1996
I was landing on Rwy27 in a Fokker-27 at night.... around 400 feet on approach.
One of those very bright 'high-altitude-capable' Diwali rockets hit our right wing.
I saw it hitting, extinguish on impact, and fall away.
That same rocket could have hit us about 5 metres inboard, and I wonder what damage that could have caused by hitting the engine, landing gear or entering and wedging itself in the wheel-well.
Maybe none... but that was the last time I flew on Diwali days. Always managed to wangle out of my rostered flights over Diwali.
If it's any consolation... I could add that fireworks nowdays are not as much as they used to be 10 years ago. Indians are spending far less on Diwali fireworks now.... but I still stay away!
