NEW DELHI, March 28: A Jammu-bound Spicejet Boeing hit a pole on the runway
before takeoff at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport at Delhi on
Monday morning. The passengers had a narrow escape.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was entering the runway from the passenger terminal
when the accident took place. The right wing of the aircraft hit the pole and
the aileron was damaged. Ailerons are movable parts at the tail end that help
the pilot turn the plane.
The mishap occurred when the aircraft was being moved from the passenger terminal
to the runway.
The passengers were put on another aircraft. The plane was scheduled to depart
from Delhi at 9.20 am.
"Today, SpiceJet flight SG 160 was scheduled to operate between Delhi and Jammu.
During push back, the right-wing trailing edge came in close contact with a
pole, causing damage to aileron. A replacement aircraft has been arranged to
operate the flight," a SpiceJet spokesperson said.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun an investigation
into the mishap.
