Bird hits Kolkata-bound IndiGo flight, forces emergency landing at Nagpur

A Kolkata-bound IndiGo flight with 272 passengers on board was forced to make an emergency landing back in Nagpur on Tuesday morning after a suspected bird strike. The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft, operating as flight 6E812, took off, causing damage to its front section and prompting the crew to prioritize passenger safety by immediately returning to the airport. This mid-air scare, while startling for those on board, ended without any reported injuries.

According to Abid Ruhi, the Senior Airport Director at Nagpur Airport, an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the incident. While the initial assessment points to a bird strike, a detailed analysis is underway to confirm the event. The immediate and decisive action of the flight crew played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of all 272 passengers.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 corroborated the sequence of events. The Airbus A320-251N aircraft took off from Nagpur as planned but changed its course just a few minutes into the flight. This quick diversion back to the airport highlights the well-rehearsed emergency protocols followed by airline crews in such situations.

Initial reports from ground staff and technicians indicate that the bird strike caused significant damage to the aircraft's nose cone, which is the very front part of the plane. This type of damage can compromise the aircraft's aerodynamics and instruments, making a return to the nearest airport the safest course of action. The damage sustained by the plane further strengthens the suspicion of a bird strike.

Fortunately, despite the scare and the damage to the aircraft, all 272 passengers and crew members were safe and sound. The airline made arrangements to accommodate the passengers and ensure they could continue their journey to Kolkata. The passengers were deplaned and offered assistance while the airline's technical team began assessing the aircraft for repairs.