Dehradun, India – An Indigo flight IGO 5032, carrying 186 passengers from Mumbai, sustained damage after a bird strike upon landing at Jolly Grant Airport near Rishikesh in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 PM on Sunday.

According to airport officials, the bird struck the nose of the aircraft. Following the incident, authorities conducted a thorough inspection and safety audit of the runway to ensure continued safe operations. Fortunately, all passengers on board were reported safe.

Bird strikes pose a significant risk to aviation safety worldwide. While modern jet engines are designed to withstand impacts from smaller birds, collisions with larger birds can cause substantial damage, potentially leading to vibration, power loss, or even engine shutdown.

In the event of a bird strike, pilots are trained to immediately notify air traffic control and, if airborne, proceed to land as soon as possible. After landing, a comprehensive inspection by engineers is crucial to identify any structural or mechanical damage. The aircraft is only cleared for service once all safety checks are completed.

Airports employ various measures to mitigate the risk of bird strikes, including bird-scaring devices, lasers, habitat management, and employing trained personnel to keep runways clear of birds. These proactive measures are essential to maintaining a safe operating environment for aircraft.