Chennai: Close save for passengers as flight suffers hydraulic problem

Chennai: More than 100 passengers of acity-bound Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Colombo had a narrow escape on Thursday when the plane developed a hydraulic problem after landing and got stuck in the runway at the airport here.

However, no one was injured in the incident, as the Airbus A330-200 with 108 passengers and eight crew members were later towed away safely to the parking bay by airport vehicles, airport officials said.

Officials said the flight developed the problem after landing and could not move further.

Airport vehicles were immediately pressed into service, which towed it to the bay, they said.

The flight later proceeded to its destination of Colombo after a two-and-a-half hour delay after the problem was rectified, officials added.

Meanwhile, a statement from Sri Lankan Airlines said that, "flight UL 125 during its descent in Chennai experienced overheating of a hydraulic system and subsequent to the landing, the pilots requested for ground assistance to tow the aircraft."

"The aircraft was then towed to the parking bay and the technical fault was rectified shortly," it said, adding, it flew back to Colombo after a delay of two hours.

"Sri Lankan Airlines wishes to reiterate that the Airline is dedicated to assure the safety of its passengers and at no point were the passengers and crew in danger," it added.