Water tanker lorry hits Qatar Airways plane on runway in Kolkata, all passengers safe

A Doha-bound Qatar Airways flight, holding more than 100 passengers, had a narrow escape at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, yesterday when a water tanker lost control and hit its belly minutes before take off, according to reports in the Indian media.

The accident took place at about 2.20am yesterday, just as passengers were slowly boarding the stationary plane, reported Hindustan Times.

The water cart hit the belly of the Doha-bound flight, near the landing gear. Officials have confirmed that there were no injuries in the incident.

The water tanker hit the belly of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and it was immediately grounded for assessing the damage caused by the impact, a spokesperson of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was quoted as saying by Live Mint.

“All 101 passengers and 12 crew, including two pilots, of flight QR540 have been provided accommodation at a nearby hotel. They’ll be taking the 3 am flight to Doha on Friday,” the AAI official said.

The driver of the tanker lorry has been suspended and he will now face an inquiry. Preliminary inspection of the tanker suggested that its brakes were not working properly, reported Scroll.In.

“The movement of vehicles in the airport takes place through pre-determined routes and speed. One has to find out how the driver lost control of the vehicle,” said an officer, who did not wish to be named.

The water tanker got near the aircraft in order to refill the tanks of the aircraft’s washrooms.

Picture for representational purposes only.