Air India Flight Collides with Tractor, Passengers Grounded At Pune Airport

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Viman Nagar, 17th May 2024: Chaos ensued at Pune Airport as more than 200 passengers found themselves stranded on Thursday when Air India flight AI-858, bound for Delhi, collided with a luggage tractor while taxiing towards the runway.

Airport officials confirmed that the collision resulted in damage to one of the aircraft’s wings and a tyre, prompting an inquiry by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into the incident.

The mishap unfolded as the aircraft was preparing to depart from Pune at 4 pm. Shahab Jafri, a passenger aboard the flight, recounted the ordeal, stating that passengers were kept waiting onboard for over an hour before being instructed to disembark.

“After the prolonged wait, the pilot informed us about the collision with a luggage trolley, forcing the aircraft to halt its journey. Subsequently, we were instructed to deplane and escorted back to the terminal,” Jafri remarked.

Despite a detailed questionnaire sent to Air India, the airline remained unresponsive until press time.

Jafri highlighted the inconvenience faced by passengers, as they had to undergo repeated check-in and security procedures. “We were offered water and snacks around 8 pm,” he added. Eventually, another aircraft was arranged, and passengers departed at 9:56 pm.

However, the delay resulted in several passengers missing their onward connections. “On numerous occasions, we had to traverse from the tarmac to the terminal amidst the movement of tractors and other vehicles, posing safety risks,” another passenger voiced concerns.

This incident follows a similar occurrence last Friday when a ladder belonging to IndiGo collided with a chartered aircraft carrying Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma during his election campaign in Pune. The collision caused extensive damage to the aircraft, attributed to heavy rain and gusty winds in the Lohegaon area.

Officials revealed that the ladder had come perilously close to the aircraft amid the adverse weather conditions, leading to its grounding due to potential damage risks caused by low visibility.