Passengers of an Air India flight had a narrow escape on Saturday when Mumbai-bound AI-695 made an emergency landing 10 minutes after it had taken off from Amausi airport. Although there were no official words about the reason, an airport official requesting anonymity said that the pilot had reported a suspected bird-hit.

The flight, which took off at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday was carrying 80 passengers and six crew members. The passengers de-boarded after the flight returned and were sent to Mumbai on an alternative flight at around 2:30 p.m.

An airport source said that the flight had taken off from the airport successfully. However, as it reached an altitude of 10 nautical miles (about 2,000 feet), the pilot reported a "suspected bird-hit" and returned to the airport. "All the passengers and crew were safe," airport authorities said. The plane was parked at the airport for further checking.

Airport Director Atul Dikshit told TOI that if at all it was a bird-hit, it was not within the premises of the Amausi Airport.

It is noteworthy that bird hit cases are maximum in monsoon and post-monsoon season. In this season birds get attracted towards waterlogged area on ground and insects which are born in this season.