A Bengaluru-Mumbai IndiGo aircraft suffered a bird hit on Friday while taxiing on the runway, prompting the pilot to return to the bay, sources said.
Incident Details
The Airbus A321Neo aircraft was preparing for takeoff when the bird strike occurred. After necessary checks, which included inspection of both engines, the aircraft was declared safe and commenced its journey after more than an hour, according to sources.
The number of passengers on board was not immediately known.
A passenger on board reported that the aircraft had picked up speed and was preparing for takeoff when the bird-hit happened. It took over an hour for the plane to fly again after engine checks and other inspections.
Flight Information
IndiGo flight 6E-6283 was scheduled to depart from Bengaluru for Mumbai at 7:04 PM, as per the flight tracking website flightradar.com. The aircraft finally left for its destination at 8:46 PM, sources said.
Response and Safety
Comments from IndiGo on the incident were awaited. The airline is expected to provide further details regarding the bird strike and the subsequent safety procedures.
Bird strikes are a common hazard in aviation, and airlines follow strict protocols to ensure aircraft safety. In this case, the pilot's decision to return to the bay and the thorough engine inspection underscore the commitment to passenger safety.
