What: SATA International Airbus A320-200 en route from Funchal to Copenhagen
Where: Funchal Portugal
When: Jun 20th 2011
Who: 104 passengers, 6 crew
Why: On takeoff, the plane flew through a flock of birds, resulting in damage to both engines. There was vibration but no loss of power. Within a quarter of an hour, the pilot landed safely back at Funchal.
Both engines ingested seagulls, resulting in damaged fan blades. Also, on impact with a gull, one of the cargo doors opened.
Qantas Airways flight QF9 had to make an emergency landing in Oman, on April 8th.
The Airbus A380 plane, heading from Melbourne, Australia, to London, United Kingdom, was diverted after a male passenger suffered a suspected heart attack.
The plane landed safely. However, authorities said the passenger had died before the plane touched down.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Terry Wade
What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200, en route from Fort Lauderdale,FL to Santo Domingo
Where: Fort Lauderdale
When: Dec 20 2010
Why: After takeoff, the crew noticed substantial structural vibration of the plane’s airframe.
They decided to return to Fort Lauderdale and made a safe landing.
A replacement jet was provided.
KLM Cityhopper flight KL-1887 made an emergency landing in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on June 5th.
The plane took off for Nuremberg, Germany, but had to return shortly afterwards due to a bird strike.
The plane landed back safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-735 made an emergency landing in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 22nd.
The plane heading from Peshawar, Pakistan, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was diverted due to a bird strike.
The plane landed safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
Southwest Airlines flight WN-2123 had to reject take off from Portland International Airport, Oregon, on October 11th.
The plane was accelerating to take off for Kansas City, Missouri, when the crew rejected take off due to a bird strike.
The plane safely returned to the apron.
According to the FAA, the bird strike caused substantial damage to one of the engines.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Bernhard Bauske
What: Air Malta A319 en route from Malta (Mala) to Reggio Calabria
Where: Reggio Calabria
When: Jul 23rd 2009
Why: After the bird strike, the plane landed safely and was towed. Passengers transferred to another plane to complete the trip to Rome
