A Malta Boeing 737-800 departing for Billund, Denmark made a return Billund, Denmark after reporting a bird strike after takeoff on 16 October 2024.
ATC had given Malta Air flight FR8745, operated by a Boeing 737-800, clearance for takeoff from runway 31R Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD). The scheduled flight to Billund Airport (BLL) was being conducted on behalf of Ryanair.
Malta Air FR8745 Budapest-Billund
As the aircraft passed through 500 feet on initial climb, it sustained a bird strike which impacted the right-hand engine. Flight crew issued an urgency PAN PAN call and entered holding procedures to run troubleshooting checks.
According to the online source the Aviation Herald, the flight crew reported that the right-hand engine was indicating high vibrations. Both engines were continuing to deliver thrust.
A precautionary return was then negotiated, and the aircraft landed without further incident on runway 31R Budapest just under one hour after its initial departure.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that the flight FR8745 made an on-time departure from Budapest at 0843 local time on 16 October.
The operating crew then reported the bird strike as the aircraft climbed through 500 feet after takeoff. The crew continued the climb to 4000 feet, and entered a holding procedure in the vicinity of the airport.
The aircraft conducting the FR8745 service to Billund was a Boeing 737-800, registered 9H-QCS. Subsidiary carrier Malta Air operate the 8.5 year old narrowbody aircraft. It has been an operational service with the airline since October 2019.
Parent carrier Ryanair operated the aircraft since its initial delivery from the factory in May 2016, prior to its current service.
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