Created Friday, Nov 17th 2023 14:35Z, last updated Friday, Nov 17th 2023 14:35Z
An Icelandair Boeing 757-200, registration TF-LLL performing charter flight FI-1253 from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Varanasi (India), landed on Varanasi's runway 27 at 11:09L (05:39Z) but contacted the runway surface with its tail. The aircraft rolled out without further incident. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Icelandair confirmed the bottom of the aircraft collided with the runway surface. A replacement aircraft was sent to India to continue the journey. The damage of the occurrence aircraft is being assessed and repaired.
The aircraft had flown as flight FI-1253 from Washington,DC (USA) to Lima (Peru) on Oct 27th 2023, carried on to Pisco (Peru), Mataveri (Easter Island, Chile), Apia (Samoa), Cairns,QL (Australia), Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Kathmandu (Nepal) prior to the occurrence flight.
A replacement Boeing 767-300 registration TF-ISW positioned from Keflavik (Iceland) to Delhi (India), about 360nm westnorthwest of Varanasi, resumed flight FI-1253 with further destinations Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Porto (Portugal) and Marrakesh (Morocco) so far.
The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Varanasi a week after landing.
