Passengers on board an Air India Express aircraft coming from Abu Dhabi had a miraculous escape today morning as it veered off the taxiway at the Kochi airport in Kerala. However, all the passengers were evacuated safely.
According to reports, the incident occurred at 2:40 am as Abu Dhabi-Kochi Air India Express IX 452 went off the taxiway and rolled partly into a drain. All 102 passengers were evacuated safely from the flight with a ladder.
Sources revealed that the plane took a turn too soon – about 90 metres before it was supposed to – while approaching the parking bay and went off track. Images showed a wheel of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft stuck in what appeared to be a drain.
Spokesperson of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) said, “All passengers were evacuated through a ladder. All safe. No casualties.”
Meanwhile, the aircraft has been grounded and an internal inquiry has also started. A report has also gone to aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is investigating the mishap