AI216 - Incident: India A320 at Kathmandu on Nov 25th 2023
Created Monday, Nov 27th 2023 19:44Z, last updated Monday, Nov 27th 2023 19:44Z
An Air India Airbus A320-200, registration VT-EXE performing flight AI-216 from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Delhi (India), was departing Kathmandu's runway 02 when an unsual sound upon rotation for takeoff prompted the crew to suspect a tail strike. The crew stopped the climb at FL220 and returned to Kathmandu for a safe landing on runway 02 about 35 minutes after departure.
The aircraft is still on the ground in Kathmandu about 53 hours after landing back (standing Nov 28th 2023 local Nepal time).
The airline reported that a post flight inspection revealed no trace of a tail strike, maintenance thoroughly checked the aircraft and returned it for flight on Sunday (Nov 26th 2023).
Source: The Aviation Herald