Patna: A Delhi-bound IndiGo flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport on Tuesday morning after a suspected bird strike damaged one of its engines shortly after takeoff. The incident has once again raised safety concerns about bird activity in the vicinity of the airport.
Flight 6E 5009, which took off from Patna at 8:42 AM, reportedly encountered engine vibrations within minutes of departure. The pilot promptly contacted Air Traffic Control and requested an immediate return due to the anomaly. The aircraft landed safely at 9:03 AM on Runway 7, with all passengers and crew on board reported to be unharmed.
Patna airport authorities later confirmed that remnants of a bird were discovered on the runway during an inspection, validating suspicions of a bird strike. “One dead bird in pieces was found during the post-takeoff inspection. The flight crew was informed through the Approach Control Unit,” officials stated.
An airline source confirmed the incident and noted that the aircraft has since been grounded for maintenance checks. “We are arranging alternate travel plans for the affected passengers. Their safety and comfort remain our top priority,” the official said.
The emergency landing has reignited discussions around the longstanding issue of bird hazards at Patna airport. Several unauthorized slaughterhouses and garbage dumps in the airport’s surrounding areas are believed to attract large numbers of birds, particularly kites and crows, increasing the risk of bird strikes during takeoffs and landings.
