Jeep on Pune runway forces early takeoff, A-I plane damaged
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New Delhi: An Air India aircraft’s fuselage was damaged when its pilot decided to immediately lift the plane to avoid hitting a person and a jeep that had suddenly come on the Pune airport runway during takeoff, a DGCA official said.
Was at 222 km/hr
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Hurtling down the runway in Pune at a speed of more than 222 km per hour, the pilot noticed a jeep and a man in the way, prompting them to carry out a premature takeoff. This resulted in the tail striking the surface of the runway,
damaging the fuselage.
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The incident occurred when the A321 aircraft of the national carrier took off from the Pune airport on Saturday morning. However, despite the incident, it landed at the Delhi airport safely, they said.
“During the takeoff at 120 knots speed, crew saw a jeep and a person on the runway, to avoid conflict they did early rotation. The aircraft has safely landed at Delhi,” the DGCA official stated. The A321 aircraft, scheduled to operate A-I 825 to Srinagar, had certain marks towards the empennage area. PTI
Pprobe ordered
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered a probe into the incident. Air India has been advised to coordinate with Pune ATC also to find out any marking on runway. IANS
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