Air India aircraft hits wall before take-off, pilots 'derostered'

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Passengers of a Dubai-bound Air India (AI) Express flight had a miraculous escape when the aircraft's wheels hit a perimeter wall during take-off in the early hours of Friday, officials said.

The plane, with 136 passengers and crew members on-board, continued for Dubai and was eventually diverted to Mumbai after Trichy airport officials reported to the pilots that the aircraft might have come in contact with a wall. Nobody was hurt in the incident and the aircraft landed in Mumbai at 5:35 am after being in flight for four hours, officials said. The pilots of the aircraft have been "derostered" pending probe, Air India Express said in a statement.

"Flight IX-611 took off from Trichy for Dubai around 1.30 am on Friday. It was reported by Trichy airport officials that they have observed that the aircraft might have come in contact with the airport perimeter wall." "The matter was conveyed to the pilot. The pilot reported that the aircraft systems were operating normally," it said. Tiruchirappally Airport Director, K Gunasekaran, said CISF personnel on duty had informed the ATC about the incident, following which the ATC told the pilots.

"Soon after the incident, the pilots were informed by the ATC. The pilots reported all operations normal. So we allowed them (to proceed)," he said. The airline said it was decided to divert the aircraft to Mumbai as a precautionary measure.

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