The tyres of an Air India flight, Boeing B737-800, that was flying to Dubai with 136 passengers onboard, hit the compound wall of the Trichy airport, while taking off in the early hours of Friday, 12 October.
Despite the hit the pilots continued the journey of around four hours and were apparently only informed of the hit once they were air-borne. Despite the damage, the pilot and co-pilot managed to divert the plane. All passengers are safe.
The incident took place around 1.20 am and the flight landed around 5:35 am in Mumbai.
As a result of the impact, the antenna, a part of the west-side wall and the instrument landing system (ILS) of the flight was reportedly damaged, The Times of India reported.
Following the incident, Air India put out a statement, saying that an internal inquiry into the incident has been launched and that the pilot and co-pilot have been derostered by the relevant authorities, until the investigations into the incident have been completed, PTI reported.
The pilot in command, Captain D Ganesh Babu, has a flying experience on the B737 aircraft of 3,600 hours, including about 500 hours as commander. The First Officer, Captain Anurag, has an experience of about 3,000 hours on the B737. Both have been derostered pending investigation.Part of the Air India statement, reported by PTI
It said that a relief aircraft and a fresh crew was arranged to continue the flight from Mumbai to Dubai, PTI reported.
Those conducting the investigations told The Times of India that while they weren’t sure of what caused the incident, a bird hitting the engine could be a likely reason.
In a Twitter thread, Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said that the safety of the passengers was the first priority of the authorities.
“DGCA officers are at the site for preliminary inquiry and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau officers have also been deputed...Air India has constituted a Sub-Committee of the Board headed by an Independent Director of the Board for looking at all safety related issues within the organisation including subsidiaries,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister Vellamandi N Natarajan also visited the airport in the morning.
(With inputs from ANI and The Times of India)
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