Thaindian News

Mumbai, May 5 (IANS) In a major breach of safety, an Air India aircraft was hit and its door damaged by an aerobridge at the airport here after 172 passengers had boarded the plane for Mangalore.
No passenger or member of the crew on board IC-179 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here was hurt in the accident, airline officials said.

The accident occurred when the ground staff was withdrawing the aerobridge after passengers and crew had boarded the domestic flight.

But instead of pulling backward, the aerobridge moved forward and damaged the Airbus A321 aircraft door, the officials said.

“We have sent all the passengers by another aircraft around 1 p.m.,” an official said, adding: “For the moment, the damaged aircraft has been grounded. Our team will examine the extent of damage.”

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken note of the incident and instituted an inquiry into the incident.

“We have derostered the pilot, the co-pilot and the ground duty staff. This is a standard procedure, where officials derostered are taken off duty till an investigation is complete,” said DGCA director general S.N.A. Zaidi here.