British heavy metal band Iron Maiden said Saturday they were temporarily stranded when their plane was badly damaged in a runway accident in Chile that injured two ground crew.

The band, which is in South America on a world tour, said its members and equipment were not on board at the time, and later announced it had found new transportation to get to its next show, in Cordoba, Argentina Sunday.

The plane, a Boeing 747 nicknamed "Ed Force One," was being towed for refueling when it came untethered, the band said on its website.

"On making a turn the aircraft had no steering and collided with the ground tug, badly damaging the undercarriage, two of the aircraft's engines and injuring two ground tug operators, both of whom have been taken to hospital," it said.

It later said both people injured were expected to fully recover.

The "Book of Souls" tour was launched last month in support of the heavy metal legends' latest album.

The band is often flown to its tour stops by lead singer Bruce Dickinson, a trained pilot.
Source: AFP