NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, June 10 — An AirAsia aircraft serving a route to Bangkok did not depart smoothly from Nakhon Si Thammarat this morning as its left wing was damaged, possibly by a bird.
Prachuap Nathong, acting Nakhon Si Thammarat airport director, said airline staff told 170 passengers to evacuate the plane, flight FD3189, to wait in the passenger terminal pending technicians’ examination of the left wing of the aircraft.
Just before takeoff, the staff said, the pilot reported a trace of damage on the wing and assumed it was hit by a bird.
Mr Prachuap said that despite slight damage, the authorities had to follow their safety rules.
As no bird carcass was found when AirAsia mechanics arrived from Bangkok to examine the plane, after which they cleared the flight to continue to Bangkok. .
The plane arrived at Nakhon Si Thammarat from Bangkok at 7.50am and was scheduled to leave Nakhon Si Thammarat at 8.30am. The incident delayed the takeoff to 11am.
