An Airblue flight from Jeddah to Karachi experienced a bird strike during its landing approach near Model Colony, Karachi, when a bird collided with the plane’s windscreen.
Despite the impact, the pilot safely landed the aircraft at Karachi airport without any complications, sources confirmed.
The incident occurred as Flight PA 171, arriving from Jeddah, was nearing its scheduled landing. Fortunately, no passengers or crew members were injured, and the aircraft was secured on the ground. Further inspections will be conducted to assess any potential damage.
In the first six months of this year, 38 Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft were struck by birds during domestic and international flights.
According to sources, these incidents occurred at airports in Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Sukkur, Jeddah, and Dubai. The affected planes included 31 Airbus A320s and 3 Boeing 777s.
Of the 38 bird strikes, five aircraft sustained damage, while the remaining 33 were unharmed. Lahore Airport recorded the highest number of bird strikes with 14 incidents, followed by Islamabad with seven, Multan with four, and one incident each at Sukkur, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Jeddah, and Dubai.
Most bird strikes occurred during critical flight phases such as takeoff, landing, and approach.
Concerns over Aviation Safety
Sources have attributed the increased number of bird strikes to administrative negligence by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which has failed to install modern bird deterrent equipment at the country’s airports.
Bird strikes, which occur when birds collide with aircraft, pose a significant safety risk, particularly during takeoff and landing when planes are closer to the ground. The impact of a bird strike can range from minor damage to severe consequences, including engine failure or structural damage, potentially endangering passengers and crew.
In response to the global rise in bird strike incidents, aviation authorities have implemented enhanced safety measures, including bird deterrent systems and habitat management around airports.
