Probe into AirAsia
PETALING JAYA: The Gold Coast Airport is investigating the bird strike incident involving an AirAsia X aircraft bound for Kuala Lumpur on Monday night.
The airport confirmed an incident took place during take-off.
“Flight D7207, an Airbus A330, departed Gold Coast Airport for Kuala Lumpur at 10.20pm and experienced a suspected bird strike shortly after take-off.
“The aircraft with 345 passengers and 14 crew on board was diverted to Brisbane, and landed safely at 11.33pm,” the airport said in a statement.
The Gold Coast Airport said it was working with all involved stakeholders with regard to an investigation into the incident, adding that passenger safety is of paramount importance.
It said Gold Coast Airport had developed and implemented an extensive wildlife management programme, and that it has a long-standing relationship with a leading bird strike management specialist, providing technical advice and assistance in active management of wildlife at the airport.
AirAsia X said birds struck the plane’s starboard engine leading to the decision to ground the plane an hour later.
“Two bird remains were found on the runway,” the airline said in a statement.
“We are following all regulatory guidelines to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests,” AirAsia X chief executive Benyamin Ismail said.
“We would like to commend our pilot and crew members for their professionalism and swift action to reassure passengers,” he added.
The airline said it would arrange another flight to Kuala Lumpur for passengers as soon as possible.
Several passengers shared the incident on social media. They reported hearing explosive sounds from the right engine about half an hour into the flight.
“Successive sparks boom boom boom went off and people were crying and screaming,” Eric Lim wrote on his Facebook page.
Calvin Boon posted a video of the plane after it landed at the Brisbane Airport.
He thanked the captain and crew for their professional handling of the incident.
On Jan 18, 2016, a bird ripped a large hole in an Air Namibia A319-100 aircraft when it collided with the plane during landing.
On March 11, 2016, a bird strike damaged the nose of EgyptAir Boeing 737-800 as it came in to land at Heathrow Airport.
On April 1, 2016, a Ryanair flight declared a midair emergency above Manchester when it struck a bird during take off.