Mumbai, May 08: In double trouble, a Delhi-bound Air
India flight with 142 passengers onboard suffered a bird hit
forcing it to return shortly after takeoff and the door of an
alternative plane was hit by a catering van at the airport
here Friday.
The two incidents delayed the flight by more than three
hours.
The Air India flight IC-168 took off from here at 5.45 pm
for Delhi but landed back in Mumbai shortly afterwards due to
a bird hit, the airline`s spokesperson said.
"Two unfortunate incidents involving Air Indian flight
IC-168 happened at Mumbai airport today for no fault of Air
India," a spokesperson of the airline said.
The passengers were transferred to another aircraft
and when it was set for departure, a catering vehicle hit the
plane door while aligning with the aircraft.
"First the flight took off and shortly returned due to
a bird hit. Secondly, the alternative aircraft was getting
ready for departure when TajSats` catering vehicle hit the
door while aligning with the aircraft," the spokesperson said.
Air India took prompt action and transferred all the
passengers in a third aircraft and the flight finally took
off at 8.50 pm, the spokesperson said.
Bureau Report
