Water tanker hits aircraft at Kolkata Airport

Kolkata: More than 100 passengers were stranded at Kolkata Airport early on Thursday after a water tanker hit a Qatar Airways aircraft, which was preparing to take off for Doha.

Around 2.30 am, when passengers were boarding the plane, a water tanker hit the belly of the Doha-bound flight, near the landing gear, an official of Airports Authority of India (AAI) said.

According to airport sources, as soon as the pilot started moving the aircraft, out of nowhere a water tanker rammed near the aircraft's landing gear. As a result, the plane got shaken. The passengers who were inside also panicked.

Immediately, the pilot informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the development. Within a few minutes, ATC staff and other emergency services rushed to the landing area and saw the tanker rammed in to it.

At first, the officials checked with the passengers. As it was found that no one was hurt, officials immediately arranged for their deboarding. Later, the aircraft was grounded for a thorough check-up. After checking the aircraft, engineers informed that it is not possible to fly it as the landing gear and some other parts had been damaged.

Later, it was decided that the passengers will be accommodated at a hotel in the city till another flight could be arranged. Spokesperson from the NSCBI Airport informed that the passengers will be accommodated in Thursday night's flight.

During the incident no flights at the airport were obstructed and operations remained normal.

The Airports Authority of India, Kolkata officials have suspended the driver of the water tanker. A probe has been ordered by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on how a water tanker could get so close to an aircraft.