Kochi, Inida: A major disaster was averted when a Gulf Air flight carrying 137 on board skidded off the runway while landing at the airport here early on Monday morning. The aircraft came to a halt in a muddy area close to the runway, and there was no loss of life.

Nedumbaseery airport authorities said seven passengers were injured, of which only one needed hospitalisation. The rest made do with first aid. The 130 others including an infant and the six crew escaped unhurt through the emergency doors of the Airbus 320 aircraft.

The runway was closed immediately, leading to diversion of 12 international flights and delays in the operation of several domestic flights.

The pilot was quoted as saying the aircraft veered off the runway because of the heavy rain and poor visibility. The wings, nose wheel and engine have been damaged. A Disabled Aircraft Retrieval Kit was summoned from Mumbai, the Managing Director of the Cochin International Airport limited (CIAL) Dr V J Kurien told reporters.

The runway was partially opened for traffic by 8 am for ATR aircraft and A-320s and Boeing 737s by about 10 am. It is expected to be fully operational by late in the night.

"It is for the airlines operating smaller aircraft to take a call as to when they can resume operation," Dr Kurien said.

Injured passenger V Syed Mohammed of Palakkad has been admitted to the Little Flower Hospital here. Syed told the media he suffered injuries when he jumped out of the aircraft in panic.

Dr Kurient said Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. ``Let's not jump into any conclusions. The pilot has informed us that he could see the runway from six nautical miles away. There was moderate rain when the aircraft reached 2000 feet of height on its descend. But there was a sudden gush of wind and intense rains after the aircraft crossed down the decision height of 352 feet.''

"Our first priority was safe evacuation of passengers, and providing treatment to those injured. Within about 50 minutes we were able to send out all the uninjured passengers, with their luggage, and after completing the emigration procedures. We will take steps to complete the immigration procedures for the injured passenger at the hospital" Dr Kurien said.

Hectic efforts are being made to bring back the runway into full operation. Cranes have been kept ready. Steel plates and wooden planks have been moved to the spot to lift the aircraft which is stuck in the mud. "We are trying to be as prepared as possible so that we can launch the operations to tow the ill-fated aircraft away from the runway as soon the retrieval kit arrived from Mumbai'' Dr Kurien said.

source: The Times of India