An IndiGo flight from Mumbai experienced a bird strike upon landing at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun on November 24, 2025, damaging the aircraft. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 pm, when a bird struck the nose of the aircraft, identified as flight IGO 5032.
Despite the damage to the plane, all 186 passengers on board remained safe and unharmed. Following the incident, airport officials conducted a thorough inspection and safety audit of the runway to ensure there were no remaining hazards.
Bird strikes are a known hazard in aviation, posing a risk to aircraft safety. These incidents can occur during various phases of flight, including takeoff, landing, and while airborne. The damage caused by a bird strike can range from minor dents to significant structural damage, potentially affecting the aircraft's performance and safety.
Jolly Grant Airport, also known as Dehradun Airport, is located near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. The airport serves as a gateway to the region, popular for tourism and pilgrimage. Ensuring the safety of aircraft operations at airports like Jolly Grant is crucial, and measures are often in place to mitigate the risk of bird strikes. These measures can include habitat management around the airfield, bird scaring techniques, and other strategies to deter birds from the vicinity of the runway.
The incident involving the IndiGo flight underscores the importance of these safety measures and the vigilance required by airport authorities and flight crews to minimize the potential for bird strikes. The swift response of the officials in inspecting the runway and conducting a safety audit is also commendable, ensuring the continued safety of airport operations.
