Delhi-Bhubaneshwar flight suffers bird-hit, passengers safe

Bhubaneswar, May 5: Passengers aboard Air Vistara's Delhi-Bhubaneswar flight had a narrow escape when a bird hit the aircraft before it landed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here on Thursday, officials said.

The front part of the plane -- operating the Vistara-UK709 flight -- was damaged following the incident but all 50 passengers and seven crew members on board were safe.

Following the accident, the airlines have cancelled the return flight to New Delhi.

"It seems the flight was hit before landing at the airport. Inspection is going on and details can be given out only after completion of the investigation," said airport director R. Mahalingam.

The aircraft would be released for further operations after satisfactory maintenance action, said a Vistara statement.

IANS