This Article is From Jan 22, 2012

Pilot avoids collision with bus on runway

Jammu: The pilot of an IndiGo Airlines flight, carrying 168 passengers, had to use emergency brake while preparing for takeoff as a bus ferrying people to an Air Force plane appeared on the runway at the airport.

The Airbus 320 aircraft, travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, was cleared by ATC for takeoff and started rolling when the pilot noticed a bus entering the runway from taxiway on Saturday morning.

The pilot applied emergency brake and stopped the aircraft.

The bus was immediately brought back and the flight took off.

"This was not a reject takeoff. All 168 passengers and the aircraft are safe", an IndiGo spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The bus was carrying passengers who were to board an IL-76 plane of Indian Air Force (IAF) which was to transport stranded persons and army personnel between Jammu and Srinagar.

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