Vistara flight hits bird, grounded

Bhubaneswar: The front part of a New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Vistara flight was damaged as the plane hit a bird while landing at the Biju Patnaik International Airport on Thursday morning.

According to sources, a plane of public carrier Vistara-UK709 hit a bird. The matter came to fore when the flight landed at the city airport at around 8.22 am in the morning today.

Though the front part of the plane was damaged in the accident, all passengers were safe. Following the accident, the Vistara Airlines has cancelled the return flight to New Delhi.

"It seems the flight has hit the before landing at the airport. Inspection is going on and all details can be said after completion of the investigation. The Vistara will provide alternate arrangements for its commuters," said airport director R. Mahalingam.

The flight will stay grounded at the airport for next two-three days for repair work, the sources said adding that alternate arrangements are likely to be made for the commuters, who were scheduled to go Delhi on the plane, by this evening.