Air Malta plane hits pylon

An Air Malta aircraft was damaged yesterday evening when one of its wings hit a pylon on the apron while it was taxiing prior to take-off. The incident happened at Luqa airport as the aircraft, an Airbus A320, was preparing for flight KM642 to Catania scheduled for 7.25 p.m. The plane was being manoeuvred out of Park Number 2 between the Malta Air Charter Helicopter and an Azzura Air aircraft when it hit the pylon which fell on the plane's fuselage resulting in a fuel spillage.

A passenger told the Times that there was some panic among the 27 passengers on board but the situation was soon brought under control. The passengers were asked to move to the front part of the plane, close to the cockpit, he said.

"We were asked not to use our mobile phones as a safety precaution", the passenger said.

No one was injured and the passengers were evacuated after the area was secured by firemen in view of the fuel spillage.

In a statement issued yesterday, Air Malta said it had put on another aircraft to operate the flight in question at 11 p.m. while the return flight KM643 was scheduled to arrive in Malta at around 1.30 a.m.

Passengers in Malta and Catania have been provided with all necessary assistance to minimise the inconvenience caused, the statement said.

Damage to the aircraft is currently being assessed and four inquiries have been opened:

¤ A magisterial inquiry to establish whether there is any criminal responsibility;

¤ An inquiry by Air Malta;

¤ An inquiry by Malta International Airport because of damage to its property; and

¤ an inquiry by the Department of Civil Aviation being the regulator of aviation matters.