Bird-hit causes flight to stop on runway

Passengers of a Raipur-bound Indigo Airlines flight had a narrow escape today after a bird-hit forced the aircraft to stop on the runway just before take-off at Devi Ahilyabai Airport in Indore today.

Passengers of a Raipur-bound Indigo Airlines flight had a narrow escape on Sunday after a bird-hit forced the aircraft to stop on the runway just before take-off at Devi Ahilyabai Airport in Indore on Sunday.

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The 6-I-252 flight was taxiing for take-off around 3.15pm when it was hit by a bird, an Indigo Airlines spokesman said, adding that all 123 passengers and crew of the flight were safe.

The pilot stopped the plane immediately and avoided a mishap. After the incident, the plane is being examined by technical experts, he said.

Arrangements are being made for an alternate plane to fly the passengers to their destinations, he added.

A slaughter house near Indore Airport is believed to be the cause behind the incident and airport officials have requested civic authorities to close it, sources said.