A Southwest Airlines flight that departed from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) on Thursday afternoon had to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff due to a bird strike. The flight was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with 139 passengers and six crew members on board.
Bird strike damages engine
According to a statement from Southwest Airlines, Flight 1954 returned to RDU around 1:30 p.m. after the crew reported a potential bird strike. The Boeing 737-700 aircraft landed safely and was inspected by mechanics for possible damage.
A passenger on the flight, John Smith, told ABC11 that he heard a loud noise and saw smoke coming from the left engine. He said he was scared but the crew handled the situation calmly and professionally.
“I’m just glad we’re all OK. It was a scary moment, but I’m thankful for the pilots and the crew. They did a great job,” Smith said.
Bird strikes pose a serious threat to aviation safety
Bird strikes are a common occurrence in aviation, but they can pose a serious threat to the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were 17,228 wildlife strikes reported by U.S. civil aircraft in 2020, of which 97% involved birds. Bird strikes can cause damage to the engines, wings, fuselage, windshield, or other parts of the aircraft, resulting in reduced performance, loss of control, or even catastrophic failure.
The FAA has implemented various measures to reduce the risk of bird strikes, such as conducting wildlife hazard assessments at airports, implementing wildlife management plans, using radar and other technologies to detect and deter birds, and educating pilots and air traffic controllers on how to avoid and report bird strikes.
Flight resumes after delay
Southwest Airlines said that the passengers and crew of Flight 1954 were accommodated on another aircraft that departed RDU at 3:56 p.m. and arrived at Fort Lauderdale International Airport at 6:07 p.m. The airline apologized for the inconvenience and thanked the customers for their patience and understanding.
The FAA said it will investigate the incident and determine the cause and extent of the damage.