AI aircraft suffers tyre burst and bird hit at Goa airport

A Delhi-bound Air India flight via Mumbai with 164 passengers onboard had to abort take-off at the last minute on Tuesday after it suffered a tyre burst as well as a bird hit at Dabolim airport in Goa.

According to airport sources, the incident took place around 7.20 am when the flight (AI866) was about to take off.

Later, it was brought back to the bay at Goa airport after all the passengers were safely deplaned.

"I have received information that a bird hit happened this morning. We will inquire into it," K S Rao, Director Goa Airport, told PTI.

Confirming both the incidents, an Air India spokesperson in Mumbai said that the passengers have been taken care of.

"Some of the passengers have been provided hotel accommodation while those who did not opt for it will be flying to their destination by Air India's afternoon flight," the spokesperson said.