Spicejet Boeing 737-800WL VT-SGK at New Delhi airport.
Spicejet Boeing 737-800WL VT-SGK at New Delhi airport.
Photo copyright Vedant Agarwal.

Spicejet Boeing 737-800 hits stray buffalo, airline suspends operations to city

A SpiceJet Boeing 737-800(WL) registration VT-SGK ‘Garlic’ performing flight SG-622 from Surat, Gujarat to New Delhi, on November 6, with 140 passengers and six crew on-board, while on its take-off run on runway 04, struck a buffalo which had strayed on to the runway. The plane impacted the animal at approximately 80 knots speed. The aircraft suffered extensive damage to the number one (left) engine, static port and other sensors. (See pictures at the end of the story). The passengers were disembarked on the runway via stairs and ferried to the terminal, and the aircraft was taken back to the apron.

There were no injuries to the persons on board the aircraft. The animal died.

A replacement Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-SPK carried the passengers to New Delhi. The flight departed around 22:55 IST.

The airline has suspended all operations to the city citing the growing menace of stray animals. A SpiceJet spokesperson said

“One of our aircraft (flight no SG 622, a Boeing 737-800 with 140 passengers and 6 crew on board, from Surat to New Delhi) hit a buffalo on take-off roll at Surat airport last night. The buffalo was essentially invisible against a dark background. Thankfully all passengers and crew were safe, however the aircraft was impacted quite severely and hence was grounded. An alternate aircraft was arranged for the passengers. Passengers departed for New Delhi on a different aircraft flown in by SpiceJet at 10:55 pm yesterday from Surat. Stray animals are a growing menace in some airports. This incident has affected our regular operations and hence SpiceJet flights from Surat will now be suspended after this incident. Suspension will be effective as soon as possible.”

India’s civil aviation minister has ordered an enquiry in to the incident.

Damaged to pitot tubes and sensors of SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SGK which suffered accident at Surat.
Damaged to static port and sensors of SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SGK which suffered accident at Surat.
Damaged to left CFM56 engine of SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SGK which suffered accident at Surat.
Damaged to left CFM56 engine of SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SGK which suffered accident at Surat.
Damaged to left engine cowl of SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SGK which suffered accident at Surat.
Damaged to left engine cowl of SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SGK which suffered accident at Surat.

Animal strikes only at government operated airports

The animal menace is quite regular at Indian airports run by government organisations like the Airports Authority of India. In March 2008, a Kingfisher Airline ATR72-500 suffered a nose wheel collapse on its take-off run after hitting a stray dog. In July 2009 on two consecutive days a GoAir A320 suffered engine damage after it hit a flock birds at Ahmedabad and on the very next day, a pig indeed did fly when a Kingfisher Airlines ATR72-500 suffered damage after hitting a pig which ran across the runway as it landed.

Is this merely a case of government apathy towards boundary security?

Share your thoughts via a comment.

Some inputs from AvHerald

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

Check Also

Spicejet Boeing 737-800 VT-SPL "Cardamom"

SpiceJet Q4FY20 results analysis: A sharp deterioration in financial health

After a long delay, India’s second-largest low-cost carrier reported its Q4FY20 results yesterday. Despite strong …

2 comments

  1. Thankfully none of the passengers or crew were hurt. It made me chuckle to read this line – “The animal died.” ;o)

+OK