Russian plane still grounded

VASCO, NOV 15
The Aerofloat Russian charter flight that suffered extensive damage due to a bird-strike still remains grounded at Dabolim airport.
It may be recalled that on November 11 morning, about 218 passengers, including 10 crew members, on board the Moscow-bound flight had a narrow escape, when the flight suffered a bird hit on the runway at Dabolim Airport.
All seven tyres of the aircraft had caught fire, after the pilot had applied emergency brake. Besides, four blades of the engine propellers were also damaged in the incident.
Sources at the airport informed that hydraulic jacks to lift the aircraft is yet to arrive from Mumbai, while other repair works have been completed.
Sources further informed that initially, jacks were supposed to arrive from Russia in an Aerofloat flight, but this plan was cancelled, as jacks are available in Mumbai.
However, the scheduled flights are unable to transport the jacks from Mumbai because of their weight and they will now be brought to Goa via road.
“The jacks will arrive latest by Tuesday and within two days, the flight will be fit to fly back to Russia,” said sources.