Air India flight with 330 passengers hits aerobridge at Mumbai airport, no injuries

Mumbai: Around 330 passengers and crewmembers of an Air India (AI) flight from Riyadh to the city escaped unhurt today after the plane hit the aerobridge upon landing here.

Some ground operators were injured in the mishap which caused partial damage on the aircraft's left engine, an official said.

The mishap at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport triggered a blame game between AI and airport authorities.

While no passengers or crew were injured due to the accident, some ground operators were injured, a Mumbai airport spokesperson said, adding the incident, involving a Boeing 777-300 ER plane, happened at around 1520 hrs.

Confirming the accident with flight AI 922, an airline official said the left engine sustained a minor bump and will be sent for inspection. The aircraft, which had around 330 passengers and crew members on-board, has been towed away to the hangar.

The national carrier blamed the airport personnel for the accident. "AI 922 Riyadh-Mumbai flight hit the aerobridge (used by passengers to board a plane) while parking at the arrival bay. The accident happened because the guidance system of MIAL (Mumbai International Airport) displayed wrong information.”

"Due to this wrong information, which is not compatible with this model of aircraft, the left engine of aircraft got into contact with the parked aerobridge," an Air India official said.

But the airport spokesperson vehemently denied their role in the incident. "The accident has nothing to do with the guidance system of MIAL. The aircraft was being marshalled/guided by Air India staff during which it collided with the aerobridge. The aircraft suffered some minor damage."

The MIAL said the accident did not lead to any disruption of operations at the airport, one of the busiest in the country.