Aircraft Hits Buffalo on Runway in India

Indian budget carrier Spicejet said on Friday it had suspended flights from the western town of Surat after one of its aircraft hit a buffalo on the runway during take-off.

“The aircraft’s engine was damaged.

“We have suspended the service at Surat indefinitely till investigations are complete and corrective measures are put in place,’’ a spokeswoman for Spicejet said.

Spicejet said that the buffalo was killed in the incident on Thursday.

The spokesman from the Civil Aviation Ministry, Uday More, said the Boeing aircraft was carrying 140 passengers and six crew.

“No one was injured and the passengers were later flown to Delhi in another aircraft.

“It appears the buffalo strayed into the airport area through a breach in the fence, there are cattle grazing in the fields around the airport.

“The enquiry will fix responsibility for the security breach and regular checks will be put in place to ensure such incidents don’t happen again,’’ More said.