It has emerged that a Jet2 flight, originally bound for Palma de Mallorca, had to return to Leeds after a bird strike not long after departure.
Information is limited surrounding this incident, but below is what we know on this so far.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Bird Strike!: Jet2 Flight LS227 – Leeds to Palma de Mallorca…
Jet2 flight LS227, which suffered the bird strike, is a routine scheduled flight between Leeds and Palma de Mallorca.
Furthermore, the aircraft involved in the incident is G-GDFK.
As per data from Planespotters.net, G-GDFK is a 26.3 year old Boeing 737-300 that was delivered to British Airways back in May 1998.
In March 2003, the aircraft was handed over to Astraeus Airlines.
Astraeus Airlines sent the aircraft out on lease to the likes of Iceland Express, Flybe and Estonian Air, before being sent to FNBC Leading in January 2012.
March 2012 was when Jet2 took delivery of the aircraft, where it has been since.
Of the 737-300 variant, the UK holiday carrier has seven of them in their fleet.
Within that seven, all but one are in active service, with an average fleet age of 26.4 years.
As well as the 737-300, the airline has the following other aircraft in their fleet:
- 5 Airbus A321ceos.
- 8 Airbus A321neos.
- 2 Airbus A330s.
- 99 Boeing 737-800s.
- 6 Boeing 757-200s.
Jet2 flight LS227, which suffered the bird strike, departed Leeds at 1637 local time on August 10 and initially climbed out towards Palma de Mallorca.
However, as reported by The Aviation Herald, it is understood a bird was ingested into one of the Boeing 737-300’s engines.
Following severe vibrations as a result, the crew stopped their climb at 10,000 feet and proceeded to return back to the airport.
The aircraft landed safely without further incident after one hour and 18 minutes in the air.
A Lot of Damage?: Aircraft Grounded Two Days On…
G-GDFK, the aircraft involved in the bird strike incident on Jet2 flight LS227 Leeds-Palma de Mallorca, is still grounded, two days after the incident.
With the bird being ingested into the engine, it will likely either take the following maintenance fixes:
- Engine replacement if the damage is too significant to repair.
- Or significant repairs which can take a few days to a few weeks.
At this stage, information continues to be limited surrounding the status of the airframe following the incident.
As soon as we have more information pertinent to this, then we will update you accordingly.
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