AI flight landing gear collapses; runway blocked

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) An Air India flight carrying 169 passengers today made an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport after the aircraft's landing gear collapsed on the touchdown.

The Delhi-bound AI 349 was coming from Shanghai via Bangkok when the snag developed at the main runway at 0745 hrs, GMR officials said.

The main runway got blocked, delaying the arrival and departure of the flights.

Later, the secondary runway was made operational.

The normal services of the flights will be resumed by 1300 hrs, the officials added.

All the passengers deplaned safely.

According to the officials, the nose wheel of the aircraft had collapsed, leading to the emergency landing.

The equipment to lift the aircraft is being brought in from Mumbai, spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Ministry said.

UNI