A Flair Airlines captain has sustained minor injuries when an aircraft windscreen shattered after a birdstrike during a departure from Toronto on 24 October 2024.
Flair Airlines flight F8641, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The aircraft was performing a scheduled service bound for Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG).
Flair Airlines F8641 Toronto-Winnepeg
The flight was given a clearance for takeoff from the runway 33L Toronto Pearson. All during the initial stages of the climb after takeoff, the aircraft impacted a flock of geese. At least one of the birds struck the captains L1 windscreen.
The impact caused the windscreen assembly to shatter, and fragments of glass entered the flight deck.
Following the birdstrike event, flight crew transmitted a PAN PAN urgency call and requested a precautionary return to Toronto Pearson.
The aircraft was able to land without further incident on runway 33R, approximately 30 minutes after its initial departure. Assistance was required to tow the aircraft to the gate, due to reduced forward visibility as a result of the damaged windscreen.
A subsequent report by Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) confirmed that at least one bird had impacted the windscreen, causing the damage. The TSB further confirmed that the captain sustained minor injuries as a result of the shattered windscreen glass.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that the flight F8641 had made a departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport at 1343 local time on 24 October.
Following the takeoff, flight crew terminated the climb at approximately 4000 feet. A direct return to the origin airport was then conducted.
The aircraft conducting the F8641 service to Winnipeg Richardson International Airport was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered C-FKLO. This is a 5.4-year-old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Flair Airlines.
It has been an operational service with the airline since its initial delivery in August 2022.
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