July 19, 2009

The collision of birds with aircraft, bird-strike accidents, during takeoffs near airports is becoming a grave concern for Ethiopian aviation authorities.
At a sensitization workshop organized by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Thursday at the Addis Ababa Ghion Hotel, Girma Gebre, aircraft accidents prevention and investigation bureau chief, pointed out that the number of reported accidents caused by birds strike around the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has been increasing in recent years. According to Girma, in the first five months of this year only seven bird-strike accidents were reported.

Early this year, a Southern Airline Boeing 747 freighter aircraft leased by Ethiopian Airlines, which was hit by birds during take off at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, returned to the airport and landed with great difficulty. Both engines were hit by a flock of birds while it was taking off. One of the engines went dead and the pilots managed to return to the airport and to land the Jumbo jet with a great challenge. Girma said one of the engines was totally damaged while the other engine was repaired after undergoing thorough maintenance.

Another Ethiopian Boeing 757 (Et-AJX) passenger aircraft was hit by birds during takeoff. Ethiopian’s seasoned pilots managed to land the aircraft safely. One of the engines was totally damaged. At another incident, trainer Cessna aircraft, was hit by a bird on the wing where the fuel is stored. Following the incident, fuel was leaking from the aircraft. However, the trainee pilot managed to land the aircraft safely.