Tech Snag in Prez's aircraft, third this year

President Pratibha Patil's flight from Kolkata to Pune was delayed by about 45 minutes on Wednesday morning after the pilot returned from the runway, suspecting a technical snag in the aircraft.

President Pratibha Patil's flight from Kolkata to Pune was delayed by about 45 minutes on Wednesday morning after the pilot returned from the runway, suspecting a technical snag in the aircraft.

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This is the third time this year that the President's aircraft developed technical glitches. She was on a two-day trip to West Bengal.

As soon as the Air Force aircraft reached the runway, the pilot informed the air traffic control (ATC) tower that the plane should be brought back.

However, an Air Force spokesperson said the plane did not develop any problem but the pilot only suspected one.

"The pilot of the President's flight had seen a cautionary flash in the cockpit and decided to come back to the parking bay from the runway. No snag was detected after the aircraft was checked thoroughly and then it took off," the Air Force spokesperson said.

The President was on board when the checks were carried out. Sources at the airport said the takeoff was to take place around 10.30am. The aircraft came back around 10.40am, after which engineers conducted a check. They rectified the minor snag and it was cleared for take off again.