Symbolic Image (Image Credit: ANI)

MUMBAI: An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 flying a night flight to Kannur suffered damage during take-off at Muscat airport as the aircraft was parked at runway edge lights instead of the runway centreline at night, sources said. Oman’s Air Accidents Investigation Area (AAIS) has classified the incident as an accident and launched an investigation.The incident occurred on May 15 when flight IX 712 from Muscat to Kannur was scheduled to depart at 9.10 pm local time. The aircraft, registered as VT-AXR, entered runway 26L from taxiway E7 and aligned with the right bank light before beginning take-off. According to a source, the pilot-in-command was a foreign national while the first officer was an Indian.Sources said that during the take-off roll, the aircraft hit several runway side lights and destroyed them. After a loud bang and the master caution signal in the cockpit, the crew rejected take-off and stopped the aircraft on the runway.“The plane reportedly suffered a hydraulic leak and a tire burst. Passengers and crew were later deboarded on the runway before being flown back to the terminal,” a source said.Sources said the aircraft’s engines were seriously damaged due to foreign object entering.After the incident, the plane remained parked in Muscat for several days. A replacement Boeing 737-800 operated a flight to Kannur the next day, with a delay of more than 13 hours.The airline’s statement on the incident is awaited.