Tiruchy flight brushes with ladder truck before take off, enquiry ordered

The incident took place around 6 am when Air India’s Alliance Air flight (AT76 with a capacity of 74 passengers), was being dragged by a towing truck from the hangar to Bay No 51. While negotiating a turn, the aircraft’s body was scraped by a ladder truck of Indigo Airlines, resulting in huge noise. Immediately, security and fire personnel rushed to the spot and cleared the truck.

Later, as per protocol, officials from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) inspected the plane and deemed it fit for flight, after three hours. The incident made 38 passengers, who were about to board the flight remain stranded at the airport. Meanwhile, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security officials inquired both Air India and Indigo Airlines officials as to what led to the incident, for which they blamed each other. 

Airport Authority of India too has ordered an inquiry into the incident and reportedly asked the staff on duty to undergo medical test to verify whether they were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.