Baggage loader truck damages MAS aircraft

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Airlines (MAS) aircraft scheduled to fly out of Hong Kong International Airport on Saturday was grounded following an accident with a ground vehicle that left the Boeing 777-200 damaged.
It is learnt that the driver of a baggage loader truck was aligning the vehicle close to the aircraft's tail cargo hold door when the accident occurred.
A steel bar mounted on the vehicle punctured the skin of aircraft's belly leaving a foot-long tear.
It is learnt that passengers and crew of the flight were held up by the delay and the airline put them up at hotels in the city.
In a statement at 5.30pm today, Malaysia Airlines said Flight MH073 scheduled to leave Hong Kong at 2.40pm was delayed due to urgent repair work to the the damage caused by ground equipment at the right aft cargo section of the Boeing 777.
MAS said MH073 will operate as MH073D and departed Hong Kong at 6pm today and is expected to arrived Kuala Lumpur at 9.45pm.