india

Updated: Apr 30, 2019 08:22 IST

A SpiceJet aircraft carrying 189 passengers from Delhi overshot the runway while landing at Shirdi airport on Monday evening. While no passenger injuries have been reported, officials said the plane was stuck on the ground and airport operations had to be temporarily shut down.

SpiceJet officials said two pilots operating the aircraft have been suspended pending an inquiry. The airline’s spokesperson confirmed SpiceJet aircraft SG 946 flying from Delhi to Shirdi overshot the runway. “Passengers and crew were safe and deplaned normally,” the spokesperson said.

Dhiren Bhosle, airport director of Shirdi said, “We have sought help from various nearby airports to tow the stuck aircraft on the runway and resume operations. However, our operations will remain suspended until Tuesday morning.”

The incident is reported to have happened at 4.30pm with the aircraft overshooting the 2,500-metre runway by around 50 metres. An airport official said flights that had lined up to depart thereafter had to be cancelled or were delayed. This included an Alliance Air flight that was flying to Mumbai from Shirdi.

An Alliance Air flight from Hyderabad to Shirdi had to return soon after take-off.

Officials at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said their representatives reached Shirdi airport in the evening for preliminary investigation after which the case will be handed over to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.