Nagpur Helicopter Grounded After Pigeon Strike; Officials Safe, No Damage Reported
A chartered helicopter carrying senior officials of a major steel company was forced to make an emergency landing at Nagpur airport on Wednesday morning after a suspected bird strike. The incident occurred shortly after take-off, prompting the pilot to immediately return to the ground.
Details of the Incident
The Bell helicopter, which was transporting senior executives of Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL), was scheduled to depart from Nagpur for Ghugus in Chandrapur district. Ghugus is the location of LMEL's steel plant, where the officials were headed for business operations.
Shortly after lifting off, the pilot suspected a bird impact and made the prudent decision to land the aircraft back at the airport. The flight was subsequently canceled, and the helicopter remains parked at Nagpur airport as investigations continue.
Discovery of the Bird
Following the incident, airport personnel discovered a dead pigeon on the runway. Sources indicate that the bird is suspected to have collided with the lower side of the helicopter's rotors. Interestingly, the pigeon's body was found intact, raising questions about the nature of the impact. Despite the strike, preliminary assessments suggest that no significant damage was inflicted on the helicopter.
Airport's Response and Bird Hazard Management
Mihan India Limited (MIL), the operator of Nagpur airport, has taken proactive measures in response to the incident. The company has appointed a dedicated bird watcher to monitor and track avian activity in the vicinity of the airport. This move aims to mitigate future risks associated with bird strikes.
Sources have also highlighted that kabutarbazi, or pigeon racing, is frequently observed near the airport area. This popular local activity potentially increases the likelihood of bird-aircraft collisions, posing a persistent challenge to aviation safety.
Historical Context of Bird Strikes at Nagpur
This is not the first instance of a bird strike incident at Nagpur airport. In October of last year, an Air India aircraft suffered a bird hit, leading to its grounding for necessary inspections and repairs. Prior to that, an IndiGo Airlines flight was compelled to return mid-journey after a severe bird strike caused damage to the plane's frontal section.
These recurring incidents underscore the ongoing challenges faced by aviation authorities in managing bird hazards, especially in regions where wildlife and human activities intersect closely with airport operations.
