Delhi Airport: Airplane gets hit by a bird and catches fire

Air Mauritius flight MK 745 (Airbus 330-200) flying from Delhi India to Mauritius hit a bird while speeding to take off on Delhi’s airport. The pilot aborted the take off at the last moment and applied emergency brakes. The overheating of the wheels due to the application of brake at the speed caused the fire. The fire spread to the undercarriage. All the 252 people on the board were evacuated safely using emergency chutes.

There was an initial 10 minute delay due to “bird activity”

From Times of India -

“Our pilot had warned of birds on the runway
which is why we did not get clearance. After 10 minutes or so, we were ready for
takeoff. However, even as we gathered speed and were seconds away from being
airborne, there was a loud thud and the entire plane shook violently and came to
a sudden halt,” said Vijay Kumar, heading a group of bankers who were traveling to Mauritius.

From Hindustan Times -

“The fire was extinguished at 2.15 pm and the passengers and 11
crewmembers were evacuated through the emergency escape chute by 2.40
pm and transported to the terminal building in coaches, airport
operator Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) said. The aircraft was
towed away to a remote bay.

“Had the fire not extinguished in time or the plane had taken off,
it would have definitely blown up either on ground or mid-air.
Thankfully, the pilot was smart and did the right thing,” an official
said.”