Ahmedabad: An IndiGo flight arriving from Delhi experienced a bird hit while attempting to land at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Sources told TOI that the flight, 6E-2331, suffered the bird strike some 6km away from the city airport.
“Due to high speed and strong winds, the flight had an unstable approach and thus had to take a go-around as a precautionary measure. This was done as part of the standard operating procedure in interest of the safety of passengers and aircraft. The aircraft later landed safely on its second approach,” said an airport source privy to the development. Email queries to IndiGo airlines went unanswered.
Incident Details
The incident occurred at around 1.30pm when the aircraft was on its final approach to the city airport. According to sources, a loud impact was heard after a bird struck the front portion of the aircraft moments before landing. A large bird had reportedly hit the aircraft near its nose, according to people familiar with the matter. Further inspection of the aircraft and investigation is underway.
Bird strikes are a common hazard in aviation, especially during takeoff and landing phases. Airlines and airports follow strict protocols to minimize such risks, including wildlife management and pilot training for emergency procedures. The quick decision to perform a go-around ensured the safety of all passengers and crew on board.
Passengers on the flight were informed about the incident after landing and were deplaned normally. The aircraft has been taken for a thorough inspection to assess any damage. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been notified, and a detailed investigation is expected to follow.
