An Air India flight from Singapore to Chennai, with 162 passengers along with crew on board, suffered a bird hit when the flight was about to land on the runway at Chennai airport on Monday morning.

The plane's nose was damaged after a bird crashed into it. It will be operated once it is cleared.

Chennai:

The Air India's Boeing 788 (AI347) was scheduled to land at the Chennai airport at 10.25 am. When the flight was descending from a height of 2,000 feet a bird hit the aircraft’s nose and damaged it.

The pilot had to abort the landing plan and as the hit had affected the landing procedure. After taking instructions from the ATC, the flight landed safely around 10.35 am.

Later, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) officials inspected the flight and noted that the flight can be again operated only after getting required certificate.

Following this, the flight’s return schedule to Singapore at 11.30 am was cancelled.

This has affected the 168 passengers who were ready to board the flight after getting the boarding pass. The officials informed the passengers that they would be able to go to Singapore only on Tuesday and they were made to stay in hotels.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered for an inquiry in to the incident.