Chennai: An Air India flight from Colombo in Sri Lanka to Chennai suffered a bird hit while landing on Tuesday. According to officials, the plane was carrying 158 passengers.
All passengers are safe and were deboarded after the aircraft landed. The return flight from Chennai to Colombo has been cancelled as the aircraft is being checked for structural damages.
An official said that the bird hit was detected after the aircraft landed.
Bird activity around major international airports in India is a growing concern. The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority India (AAI) have taken up the matter on several occasions with civic bodies but things have not changed.
The DGCA and AAI have asked for relocation of garbage dumps and slaughter houses from close to airports as these attract birds.
Aircraft are at risk of bird hits during take-offs and landings. Things can get serious if birds get sucked into the engines. This may cause flameouts. Birds are also known to have smashed into cockpit windshield, causing severe damage.
“An inquiry has been ordered. Measures will be taken after the aircraft is examined properly,” the official said.
