AirAsia Forced to Land Due to Bir Ingestion

Semarang, C Java (Antara) - The Airasia flight from Ahmad Yani Airport, Semarang of Central Java bound for Singapore, was forced to return to the airport due to a bird-hit. The plane has just taken off when one of the engines suffered a hit. "The incident forced the aircraft to return to base," the General Affair and Communication Section Head of PT Angkasa Pura I in Ahmad Yani Airport, Anom Fitranggono, said here, on Tuesday. The aircraft, with over a hundred passengers, landed safely at the airport, said Anom. The aircraft will get service and maintenance in the hangar, he said. PT Angkasa Pura I cannot confirm the time it will take for repairing the damaged engine, Anom said and added that several passengers had decided to take other flights to Singapore. "There are several passengers who preferred to wait for the Airasia flight, but others have decided to take other flights," he said. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), bird strikes frequently occur in the airport during take-offs and landings. Bird strikes can be dangerous because the impact can damage the fan blade, interrupt the engine boost and cause engine failure. (*)