The Hindu : National : Plane hits wall, escapes disaster

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Sunday, Jun 28, 2009
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Plane hits wall, escapes disaster

Siliguri: A Delhi-bound Kingfisher Airlines flight with 184 people on board escaped a disaster on Saturday, when its wing hit a wall built on a bunker, shortly before take-off at Bagdogra airport near here.

The Airbus 320 was taxiing on the runway at 3 p.m. when its right wing hit the wall, an airlines spokesman said in Mumbai.

Bagdogra Airport Director K. K. Bhowmik said the wing was badly damaged, but there was no fuel leakage or any other untoward incident.

Investigation under way

“While the aircraft was executing a 180-degree turn to line up for take-off, the right wing tip touched the wall of a grass-camouflaged bunker in the proximity of the runway,” the spokesman said. The airline’s flight safety department started an investigation.

The flight was cancelled, and the passengers were told to disembark , Kingfisher authorities said.

A separate flight was arranged.

The airport was shut for an hour to free the runway, after which normal work resumed, Mr. Bhowmik said. — PTI

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