Surat: A major accident was narrowly averted at Surat airport after an aircraft reportedly struck a jackal during landing on April 8. An IndiGo flight from Hyderabad touched down at around 8 am. The incident came to light on Sunday.

Airport authorities said the aircraft did not suffer significant damage due to the animal’s small size and safely reached the apron. It was later cleared for operations after a routine inspection.

The jackal was killed on impact and split into two parts. Its remains were subsequently handed over to forest department officials. It is learnt that cages had already been installed in the area over the past few months following reports of jackals straying near the runway.

The airport vicinity has long been a natural habitat for jackals, attracted by the availability of food. A nallah along the boundary, earlier used as an entry point, was sealed with iron grills, but some animals are suspected to have remained trapped inside. DeshGujarat