Dana Aircraft Makes Air Return Over Bird Strike

• Dana Aircraft Makes Air Return Over Bird Strike

A Dana Air Port Harcourt-bound aircraft made an air return to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Friday, after it was struck by a bird during take-off.

The aircraft has been grounded as one of its engines was affected by the incident, which forced the pilot to abort the flight.

Dana Airs’ Media and Communications Manager, Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred around 11am.

He said, “One of our aircraft with registration number 5N-SRI operating our 11am flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt, on 21st of April, had an air return due to bird strike during take-off from Lagos, and our captain took a professional decision and returned to the Lagos airport.

“A bird strike is a collision between a bird and an aircraft, which is airborne, and as per standard safety procedure, which is the hallmark of our operation, our pilot returned to base.”

Ezenwa added that passengers on the affected plane were taken to their destination in another aircraft.

He said the stricken aircraft was currently being evaluated by the airline’s engineers to determine the effect of the bird strike on the affected engine.

The incident is coming on the heels of two others within the week.

On Thursday, two aircraft belonging to Air Peace had a collision, while one was being towed to position for take-off at the Lagos airport.