Terrifying moment a passenger jet engine explodes over a beach crowded with tourists: A pilot is forced to make an emergency landing after a bird strike
- The hero pilot had to turn around and return to the airfield
- The accident occurred on Avianca Flight AV9377 from San Andres Island to Bogotá, Colombia
A passenger plane pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after a bird struck one of the engines.
The video of the horror moment shows flames shooting out of one of the plane’s engines shortly after takeoff.
The hero pilot had to turn around and return to the airfield.
The accident occurred during Avianca Flight AV9377 from San Andres Island to Bogota, Colombia on April 25.
The plane was forced to turn back to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport in San Andrés, located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Nicaragua but part of Colombia.
(Flames are circled) – An airplane was struck by a bird shortly after takeoff
The engine that was hit by a bird
An Airbus A320-214 completed a successful emergency landing.
Avianca released a statement the same day, highlighting the actions of pilots Andres Dalimonte and Felipe Torres.
The airline said the flight landed in San Andres at 3.10pm local time and that all 184 people on board were unharmed.
Airport staff transferred the passengers to another flight to Bogotá which departed at 8.30pm.
A plane was hit by a bird shortly after take-off.
Avianca Chief Operating Officer Federico Pedrera praised the pilots for returning safely to the airport after the bird strike.
He added: ‘There is a need to take measures against the presence of birds in and around airports and the paths of approach and departure.
“The safety of our customers and crews is non-negotiable.”
