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Key Points

An IndiGo flight en route from Patna to Kolkata had to make an emergency landing at Ranchi airport after colliding with a vulture mid-air. The Airbus A320, carrying 175 passengers, was skillfully handled by the pilot, safely landing with no injuries reported. Passengers experienced tense moments in the air but praised the crew's professionalism and calmness. Bird strikes are not new to Ranchi Airport, as similar incidents had previously disrupted flights, raising ongoing concerns about aviation safety in the area.

Key Points: IndiGo Flight's Heroic Emergency Landing After Bird Strike in Ranchi

  • IndiGo Airbus struck by vulture prompting emergency landing
  • 175 passengers unharmed thanks to pilot's calm actions
  • Swift safety protocols followed post-incident
  • Ranchi Airport's history of bird strikes raises ongoing safety concerns
2 min read

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Ranchi after mid-air collision with vulture

IndiGo flight with 175 aboard safely lands in Ranchi after vulture strike mid-flight.

"The pilot acted swiftly and professionally under pressure. All passengers are safe. - Airport Official"

Ranchi, June 2

An IndiGo flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport on Monday after a mid-air collision with a vulture triggered a safety concern. All 175 passengers and crew members on board escaped unhurt, officials said.

The Airbus A320 aircraft was operating on a Patna-Ranchi-Kolkata route and was flying at an altitude of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 feet when it was hit by the bird, prompting the pilot to initiate emergency landing.

Following the bird strike, the aircraft remained airborne for nearly 40 minutes as the crew assessed the situation and prepared for an emergency landing.

The pilot displayed calm and successfully brought the aircraft down safely at Ranchi airport around 2 p.m. on Monday

Panic gripped passengers on board following the impact, but the crew reassured them that the situation was under control and the flight was heading for a precautionary landing.

Passengers heaved a sigh of relief once the aircraft touched down safely.

Airport officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and credited the pilot for the safe landing.

“The pilot acted swiftly and professionally under pressure. All passengers are safe. Our engineering team is currently inspecting the aircraft to assess the extent of the damage,” an airport official said.

The aircraft will be cleared for further operations only after a thorough safety check and approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

This is not the first instance of bird strikes causing flight disruptions at Ranchi Airport. On May 8, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi (IX 116) encountered a technical snag after a pigeon got stuck in its wing.

During post-landing inspection, one dead and one live pigeon were found lodged in the aircraft's blades. That flight was subsequently cancelled due to technical issues.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Kudos to the pilot for handling this scary situation so professionally! 🙏 Bird strikes are becoming too frequent at Ranchi airport. Authorities need to take serious measures to control the bird population around airports. This is a serious safety issue!
P
Priya M.
Can't imagine the panic passengers must have felt! 😰 So glad everyone is safe. Our pilots really are heroes - they train for these exact situations. But why are there so many birds near Ranchi airport? Is there a garbage dumping site nearby attracting them?
A
Amit S.
Second bird strike incident in Ranchi within a month? This is unacceptable. DGCA should conduct a proper audit of all airports with frequent bird hits. We pay so much for air tickets, at least basic safety measures should be in place.
S
Sunita R.
The crew deserves appreciation for keeping passengers calm during such a stressful situation. But I wonder - are our airports doing enough to scare birds away? In foreign airports they use special sounds and equipment. Maybe we should invest in better technology.
V
Vikram J.
While the pilot did an excellent job, this incident shows we need better wildlife management near airports. Maybe local authorities should work with forest department to relocate birds or control their population humanely. Safety of both passengers and wildlife matters.

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