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Journalism of Courage
A rat that stranded an Air India plane at the Rajasansi International Airport by scampering aboard it on Saturday is yet to be found. Airport authorities searched the plane till late on Saturday nightmanually and also employing whatever technical expertise was available locallybut the rat remained elusive.
Now,a team of experts from Delhi is expected to arrive at the airport to search the plane for the rat. If they succeed,the plane would then be taken to Mumbai for an overall security check to declare it aircraft air-worthy.
Air India and Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials did not respond to the questions about when the plane will be taken for fuming. The plane is safely parked at the airport and we are waiting for directions from Delhi, an AAI official said. We are seeking the permission to send the aircraft to Delhi for fuming but there is no response,said an AI official.
They said the senior management in Delhi was over-engaged in the ongoing strike by the pilots and once that hassle was over only then they would they take up the matter of getting the plane rid of the rat.
Sources said the authorities were yet to ascertain the damage the rat might have caused to the planes sensitive instruments or wiring. It is sure that the plane would be flown to Mumbai for the intensive check,AI officials said. . The non-availability of a pilot was another reason the plane might remain stuck here for another day.
The plane,flight no AI-187 Delhi-Amritsar-London-Toronto,was grounded Saturday when a rat jumped onto the plane while the passengers were boarding the aircraft that was scheduled to fly at 6:35 AM.
The flight was stuck and another plane was requisitioned from Delhi but that too developed a snag and the flight flew eleven hours behind schedule. We are not sure if the rat is still in the plane or has jumped out, security staff officials said.
