Mumbai: A Jet Airways aircraft was grounded on Wednesday morning after a baggage loading tug hit the plane, which was scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. An alternative aircraft was arranged for the 165 passengers.
The incident occurred when the plane was being loaded with baggage in the cargo hold. Airport officials said they are trying to ascertain the reasons behind the accident. “A Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad operated with a delayed departure as an engineering team carried out an inspection and servicing of its exterior, due to a slight scrape by a ground-handling equipment. An alternative aircraft was operated with 165 guests on board,” the airline said in a statement.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said they have sought a report from the airline. “Preliminary inquiry suggests that the operator of the baggage loading conveyor belt tug did not apply brakes on time resulting in the accident,” an DGCA official said.
