Vistara Aircraft Collides with Tow Truck during Pushback at Mumbai Airport; Passengers Safe

A Vistara Airbus A320neo aircraft experienced a significant incident at Mumbai International Airport (BOM) when it collided with a tow truck during the pushback process. Reports indicate that the tow truck hit the left engine of the aircraft, causing severe damage. The aircraft involved in the incident has registration as VT-TNF and is approximately 5.8 years old, delivered to Vistara in December 2017.

The incident occurred while the Vistara A320neo was preparing for its scheduled flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Kolkata (CCU). The collision happened due to the shear pin of the tow truck breaking, which can occur under heavy load during a turn or if the pin is worn out. Consequently, both the towbar and the tow truck experienced uncontrolled movements.

As a result, the tow truck veered towards the left side, causing damage to the No. 1 engine. The tow truck involved in the incident is operated by Bird Worldwide Flight Services (BWFS), a prominent airport services provider in the country.

The aircraft is currently immobilized due to the damage. Repairing the engine fan cowl module will require considerable time, and the airline maintenance team is assessing the damage to other components of the aircraft and engines. The airline is yet to announce information about flight cancellations, rescheduling, or the use of alternative aircraft for affected passengers. Fortunately, all 140 onboard passengers are reported to be safe following the incident.

Madhupriya Dhanwate