Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe SURAT, India, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Indian airline SpiceJet confirmed a plane was grounded when it struck a wandering buffalo on the runway at an airport in the city of Surat. SpiceJet released a statement saying the airline has suspended all flights from the Surat airport after a plane carrying 146 people collided with the buffalo Thursday while preparing to take off for a flight to Delhi. Advertisement The passengers from the Boeing 737-800 were moved to another aircraft to resume their journey, the airline said. The impact killed the buffalo and damaged the plane's engines. "Stray animals are a growing menace in some airports. This incident has affected our regular operations and hence SpiceJet flights from Surat will now be suspended indefinitely," the SpiceJet statement read. Sanjiv Kapoor, the airline's chief operating officer, blamed the airport's security for the "simply inexcusable" incident. "Those trying to absolve airport by equating animal with bird strikes... animals do not fly over airport fences-they walk through gaps!" he tweeted. Surat airport officials said the incident is under investigation. Read More Virgin: No human waste leaked on flight Couple holds wedding during Southwest Airlines flight 'Flying man' reported by airplane crew Video: Chopper's camera catches laser culprit
