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Journalism of Courage
A Delhi-bound Kingfisher Airlines flight with 184 people on board escaped a major disaster when its wing hit a wall built on a bunker shortly before take-off at Bagdogra airport near here on Saturday.
The aircraft,an Airbus 320,carrying 178 passengers and six crew members was taxiing on the runway at 3 pm prior to its take off when its right wing hit the wall,an airlines spokesman said in Mumbai.
Bagdogra Airport Director K K Bhowmik said the aircraft wing was badly damaged but there was no fuel leakage or any other untoward incident.
While executing a 180-degree turn to line up for take off at Bagdogra Airport,the right wing tip of the aircraft (IT-3334) touched the wall of a grass-camouflaged bunker located in the proximity of the runway, the spokesperson said.
The aircraft was at a very low speed when the incident occurred,he added.
The flight was cancelled and the passengers were pulled out of the plane,the Airlines authorities said adding a separate flight was being arranged for them.
The spokesperson said airlines flight safety department had started investigating the incident.
Functioning of the airport was suspended for an hour after the incident to free the runway,Bhowmik said adding that normal work had resumed.
This is the third incident involving Kingfisher Airlines aircraft in as many months.
