Official Says Vehicle Was "Forgotten" By Controllers

There were no injuries from a plane-versus-car runway accident this weekend in Bucharest.

Local news reports state a TAROM-Romanian Air Transport Boeing 737-300 struck a car left by airport crews inspecting runway lighting. Officials say the plane was taxiing on the runway for takeoff Sunday, when the accident occurred.

It's not clear whether the airliner was actually on its takeoff roll, however... as video footage taken by a passenger onboard the airliner shows the plane moving at a fairly fast clip immediately before the impact.

"This was a serious incident in which the plane was damaged," Otopeni Airport spokesperson Valentin Iordache told reporters.

Tarom director Gheorghe Barla said the vehicle had been "forgotten" by the control tower, and low visibility conditions at the airport prevented the flight crew from seeing the car.

"A disaster was avoided thanks to the crew's professionalism," said TAROM managing director Gheorghe Barla.

All 120 persons onboard the flight to Egypt were evacuated from the stricken plane, which suffered damage to the number one engine and left maingear.

FMI: www.tarom.ro/en/