Air India Flight To Delhi Struck By Luggage Tractor At Pune Airport, 200 Stranded

A mishap at Pune Airport led to around 200 passengers being stranded after an Air India flight to Delhi collided with a luggage tractor. The incident occurred while the plane, Air India AI-858, was taxiing towards the runway for a scheduled 4 pm departure on May 16th. Officials reported that the collision inflicted damage on the aircraft's wing and a tyre, necessitating the deplaning of passengers and causing delays.

According to airport authorities, approximately 180 passengers were onboard at the time of the collision. Despite the unforeseen event, it was confirmed that all passengers and crew members remained unharmed. The aircraft sustained noticeable damage to its nose and a tyre near the landing gear, prompting an immediate response from airport personnel.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has since launched an investigation to ascertain the cause and circumstances surrounding the incident. As of now, Air India has not released an official statement regarding the collision.

This recent event follows closely on the heels of another incident involving an IndiGo ladder and a chartered aircraft carrying Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. The prior incident also took place at Pune Airport during an election campaign last Friday, highlighting a concerning pattern of ground incidents affecting aircraft safety.