A Kingfisher Airlines Airbus A320-232 registration VT-ADR performing flight IT-3334 from Badogra, West Bengal, India to New Delhi, India, was taxiing for take-off, and executing a 180 turn at the end of the runway to line up, when the right wing tip of the aircraft hit the wall of a grass-camouflaged bunker located in the proximity of the runway.
The wing was damaged but no leaks occurred. The airport, which is an active Indian Air Force base, was closed for an hour to free the aircraft. The aircraft returned to the apron, the passengers disembarked normally via stairs
The passengers have been brought to hotels, and a replacement aircraft is being despatched to operate the flight.
The aircraft VT-ADR MSN 2922 was delivered to the erstwhile Air Deccan on October 27, 2006, and was merged into the Kingfisher fleet following acquisition of Air Deccan by Kingfisher.
The UB Group, owners of Kingfisher Airlines issued the following statement
While executing a 180-degree turn to line up for take-off at Bagdogra Airport, the right wing tip of the aircraft operating Kingfisher Airlines flight IT 3334 touched the wall of a grass-camouflaged bunker located in the proximity of the runway. The aircraft was at very slow taxiing speed and all 178 guests and crew on board are absolutely safe and fine and were de-planed normally. The aircraft has been grounded pending inspection and the Flight Safety Department of Kingfisher Airlines is investigating the matter.
Another aircraft will reach Bagdogra shortly to operate the flight.
This is a relatively minor incident, and the over-sensationalised reporting by the mainstream media is troubling to say the least, but that is another story for another time.
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