Turkish Airlines flight returns to Colombo after bird strike

A Turkish Airlines flight bound for Istanbul from Colombo made an emergency return to Bandaranaike International Airport on Friday morning after a bird strike shortly after departure. The Airbus A330, carrying 246 passengers and 10 crew members, including a special guest from the International Labour Organization, had to circle over the Negombo lagoon for three hours and 15 minutes to safely reduce its fuel load.

Airport officials confirmed the aircraft landed safely at 10:21 AM. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff at 7:07 AM, when a bird collided with the aircraft. The pilot immediately informed the Colombo airport authorities.

According to international aviation regulations, landing with a full fuel load of 80,000 kilograms is not permitted. Therefore, the plane maintained a low altitude of 7,000 feet over the sea area near the lagoon, traveling at a reduced speed of 253 knots, until the fuel reached a safe level for landing.

Bandaranaike International Airport was on high alert, with fire trucks, ambulances, doctors, nurses, and rescue teams mobilized for a potential emergency landing. The flight was scheduled for a six-hour journey to Istanbul.

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The safe landing was confirmed by airport officials.