Air India flight collides with tug truck before takeoff at Pune airport: Report

Mangalore Today News Network

Pune, May 17, 2024: An Air India flight en route to Delhi experienced a collision with a tug truck on Thursday (May 16) while taxiing towards the runway for takeoff at Pune Airpiort, news agency ANI reported.

As many as 180 passengers were aboard the plane during the incident. However, no one sustained any injury.

 

An airport official told ANI that the aircraft suffered damage to its nose and a tyre near the landing gear. "Despite the collision, all passengers and crew on board are reported to be safe," the official added.

Following the incident, emergency protocols were swiftly enacted, ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Confirming the incident, Pune Airport officials said the passengers were "immediately deboarded and arrangements were made for an alternative flight to Delhi".

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the collision.

Preliminary reports suggested that the tug truck, used for manoeuvring the aircraft on the ground, grazed the plane during the taxiing process. The DGCA’s probe will focus on operational protocols and possible lapses that resulted in the incident.

Airport operations continued without significant disruption. The detailed aircraft, however, was taken out of service for detailed inspection and repairs briefly and is now ready for operations.

Courtesy: India Today