Cardiff plane turns back after bird strike Oct 21 2004

A plane carrying 127 passengers to Paris was forced to return within minutes of taking off today after the aircraft was struck by a bird.

The bmibaby Boeing 737 jet had just left Cardiff International Airport, headed for the French capital, shortly after 7.30am.

A spokesman for the airport said the pilot was aware of the incident and decided to return to Cardiff as a precaution.

"The aircraft made a safe landing and all the passengers disembarked unhurt. The aircraft is now being inspected for damage," he said.

A spokesman for the airline said: "Bmibaby can confirm that flight WW5951 from Cardiff to Paris this morning returned to Cardiff Airport shortly after take-off and was a declared emergency landing.

"This was due to a bird striking the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely and without incident.

"Emergency services were in attendance as a standard precautionary measure but were not required.

"The flight had 127 passengers on board and five crew. All passengers have been disembarked and will be travelling on to Paris on a replacement aircraft."

Fonte: Antony Stone (ic Wales - 21/10/2004)

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Aircraft hit by bird turns back

The bmibaby aircraft, the 0733 BST flight to Paris, landed safely with 128 passengers on board, said a South Wales Police spokesman.

Passengers on flight WW5951 then faced a six hour wait before leaving in a replacement aircraft.

The pilot decided to return to Cardiff as a precaution.

John Horne, Cardiff International Airport managing director said: "The pilot was aware that he'd struck a bird and in those circumstances the natural thing to do is to return and make sure all is well - and that is exactly what happened."

The aircraft landed at 0758 and the passengers, who include one baby, were taken back to the departure lounge.

bmibaby said the passengers eventually left for Paris in a replacement aircraft at 1406.

Engineers were still working on the original aircraft in case of any damage.

Fonte: BBC Online - 21/10/2004