A major tragedy was averted at the Indore Airport on Wednesday morning as a bird hit a Kingfisher flight to Mumbai, causing extensive engine damage and forcing the pilot to return 15 minutes after take-off, company sources said.
The bird hit the fans of one of the engines during take-off at 8.30 am, forcing the flight to be grounded, Kingfisher airport manager Dipayan Roy told HT.
The pilot advised the Air Traffic Control to prepare for a return following which it landed 15 minutes after take-off, he said adding no injuries were reported and the passengers were safe.
At about 6:30 pm another Kingfisher aircraft accommodated 45 passengers. The rest of the passengers left at 9 pm after the original aircraft was repaired. One of the passengers, who did not wish to be named, told HT that he heard a loud noise from the engine during take-off, sending ripples down the spines of the travellers.
Outstation passengers were accommodated in a hotel while locals were sent home, said a Kingfisher spokesperson.