Air India Flight With 180 Passengers Onboard Collides With Tractor At Pune Airport

Air India Flight Accident: An Air India flight with 180 passengers onboard underwent a collision with a tug tractor on the tarmac at Pune's Lohegaon airport on Thursday (May 16), news agency ANI reported citing an airport official. The incident occurred while the aircraft was taxiing towards the runway, the official added.

An Air India flight bound for Delhi experienced a collision with a tug tractor while taxiing towards the runway at Pune Airport yesterday, 16th May. The incident occurred when around 180 passengers were on-board.

“The aircraft, carrying around 180 passengers, suffered damage to… pic.twitter.com/MkxCRDlI2n

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2024

According to the official, the passenger aircraft was on its way to Delhi when the incident took place. "The aircraft, carrying around 180 passengers, 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 airport official stated.

Air India Flight Collision: DGCA Launches Probe

Airport officials have confirmed the incident and stated that "the passengers were immediately deplaned and arrangements were made for an alternative flight to Delhi". An inquiry to ascertain the cause of the collision has been launched by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Preliminary reports suggest that the tug truck, used for manoeuvring the aircraft on the ground, struck the plane during the taxiing process, ANI said in its report.

Air India Flight Collision: Probe To Focus On Lapses

The DGCA's investigation will focus on operational protocols and possible lapses that led to the incident. Airport operations continued without significant disruption, although the affected aircraft was taken out of service for detailed inspection and repairs for a brief period and is now ready for operations.

(With inputs from ANI)