Aircraft skids off runway

Visakhapatnam, May 12 (UNI) As many as 72 passengers of the Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam Paramount flight had a providential escape when the ATR aircraft skidded off the runway at the airport here, today.

According to Visakhapatnam Airport Traffic Controller C Pattabhi, the accident occurred when the pilot lost control of the aircraft while taking a turn on the runway. All the passengers, including two crew members, escaped unhurt.

All the flights to the city have been cancelled for the next two days, he said. Cranes have been commissioned to clear the aircraft from the runway. An inquiry was ordered into the incident.

UNI