An AirAsia A320 skidded off the runway while landing at Malaysia's Kuching International Airport last night, resulting in the closure of the airport as workers try to remove the aircraft.
The aircraft, which was flying from Kuala Lumpur, "veered off the runway" while landing at 22:02hr yesterday in heavy rain, says airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB).
Passengers on board the aircraft were evacuated after the incident. Four passengers were sent to the hospital but were discharged soon after, says AirAsia. The carrier did not say how many passengers were on the flight.
Airport staff, along with engineers from AirAsia, are trying to remove the aircraft but "works are currently hampered by the continuous heavy rain since last night", says MAHB.
The airport will be closed until further notice today, it adds. Only one flight, a Kuala Lumpur-bound Malaysia Airlines service, took off today from Kuching, says MAHB.
It is not clear yet why the aircraft skidded off the runway, but AirAsia says the "initial report on visibility was good enough for an approach and landing to be made".
"AirAsia will carry out a full investigation together with the Department of Civil Aviation," it adds.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
