Better Safe Than ... EasyJet Flight Diverted After Bird Strike

An easyJet PLC ESYJY flight going from Liverpool to Malaga, Spain, recently had to be diverted after a bird hit an engine. On takeoff, the aircraft's left engine swallowed a bird, causing a small engine explosion and brief loss of power.

Though the engine recovered shortly afterward, 50 minutes into the flight pilots diverted to London's Gatwick Airport, where 179 passengers and six crewmembers changed planes. Better safe than sorry, right?

Also, better late than never – the issue resulted in a five hour delay in the flight's arrival to Malaga.

“The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers' guidelines,” the company said in a release. It put the aircraft back into service after a 24-hours hiatus.

Earlier this month, a United Airlines UAL flight going from Sydney to Los Angeles had to return to base after a similar incident. Most bird strikes – about 65 percent – cause negligible damage to aircraft.

 

Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no interest in any of the securities or entities mentioned above.