HONDURAS, April 10: A Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 was forced to make an emergency landing in Honduras after a bird was sucked into one of its engines shortly after take-off.

The aircraft was carrying 76 passengers and crew, none of whom were injured.

Initial media reports from the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa said the bird was sucked into the engine “about 20 minutes after take-off”
however it is difficult to imagine why the plane would be flying low enough – or the bird high enough – for that to occur so far into the plane’s flight.

Oscar Alvarez, who was on the flight, told Honduras Radio Network he felt “a strong explosion on the left side of the plane and then a heavy vibration.”

“But the plane quickly stabilised. The pilot spoke to us over the loudspeakers, explained the situation and asked us to remain calm.”

The flight was diverted to San Pedro Sula where it was met on the tarmac by emergency crews. It was due to resume Thursday.