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How bird strike impact on Qatar Airways’ engine forced plane’s return
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has attributed the Qatar Airways incident of last week Thursday to bird strike which it said hit the number one engine of the aircraft.
The NCAA, in a statement by its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye said the Qatar Airways A330 aircraft with registration number AD-AED, Flight no. 1408 scheduled operation from Lagos to Doha received a push back to take off from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) at 14.45hrs UTC on February 9th, 2017.
Adurogboye stated that on-board were 256 passengers and ten Crew members, adding that at 16.18hrs UTC, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) made an air return to Lagos airport. He was said to have taken this decision after the aircraft suffered bird strike in flight.
In aviation, a bird strike is strictly defined as a collision between a bird and an aircraft which is in flight or on a take-off or landing roll. The term is often expanded to cover other wildlife strikes – with bats or ground animals. Bird Strike is common and can be a significant threat to aircraft safety.
When a bird flies, or is sucked into the engine of a plane, the poor critter usually disintegrates. However, in incidents with larger birds there can be extensive damage to the engine.
“Losing one engine is not going to cause an aircraft to crash because they are designed to fly with one engine down,” said an aircraft pilot.
“However, multiple bird strikes – or hitting large birds such as Canada geese – can and have caused serious accidents.”
His words, “At 16.18hrs UTC, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) made an Air Return to MMIA. He took this decision after the Aircraft suffered Bird strike in flight.
The Bird strike hit the No.1 engine. On its safe return to Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), diligent inspection was carried out on the aircraft. However, finding disclosed no damage.”
He noted that since there was no damage, the aircraft was cleared and it recommenced the operation and departed at 17.30hrs UTC.
He pointed out that the aircraft pilot adhered to the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in undertaking an air return, stressing that this was to carry out an assessment of the impact of the bird strike before continuing the flight.
He assured Nigerians that it would continue to ensure robust safety oversight of the industry for safe and secure air transportation.
