CM Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Home Minister G Parameshwar, were on their way to Shravanbelagola to lay the foundation for Masthakabhisheka works, from the HAL airport. Their flight was hit by a kite, immediately, after they took off, reports say. However, the pilot's presence of mind saved them, it is said.
Soon after the incident, the flight was called back and a thorough security check was conducted before a go-ahead was given.
In fact, this is not the first time that birds are affecting the flights in HAL airport. Birds have often caused the grounding of flights operating from the airport that is used by military aircraft, helicopters, VVIPs and also private jets.