A New Zealand-bound plane is bogged at Melbourne Airport after sinking into asphalt which had been laid only to keep dust down.
Freedom Air flight 324 to Hamilton became stuck when its wheels sank into the asphalt about 7.30pm (10.30pm NZT) yesterday, Melbourne Airport spokesman Brooke Lord said.
The tar edging to
the main taxiway was not intended to support the weight of an aircraft.
It was not immediately clear why the Boeing 737 was near the asphalt section.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the airline would investigate the incident.
Emergency crews were yet to decide how to move the plane.
Ms Lord said passengers returned to the terminal by bus and were accommodated in Melbourne overnight.
Other flights were not disrupted.
"Last night, after 8pm, the decision was taken because the location of the aircraft meant both runways were still operating, and aircraft could come from the terminal on alternate taxiways... to have a look at it in the light (of day) and work it through then," she told ABC radio.
- AAP
