Jet Airways flight catches fire after hitting bird

A Jet Airways Boeing 737, coming from Mumbai, made an emergency landing yesterday (dec 29) after one of its engines caught fire -- from hitting a bird.

It made its emergency landing at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). All passengers and crew are safe, reported Ekantipur.

Flames were spotted by eyewitnesses, coming out from the twin engine aircraft's left engine.

According to FirstPost, the airline released a statement, "Jet Airways flight 9W 268 Mumbai to Kathmandu B737 experienced a bird ingestion on approach and continued the flight with an uneventful and safe landing at Kathmandu."

Chief Air traffic controller at Tia, Bimlesh Lal Karna, said that a bird had accidentally slammed into the jet's left engine at 12.05pm, at a 500-600 ft height.

The pilots had declared "pan-pan" when it made its final descent, and requested priority landing clearance immediately after the bird had slammed into it.

"Pan-pan" is a term used by crew members, meaning that they do not require help to land safely, and that it is a state of urgency with no imminent danger to life or aircraft.

Aircraft accidents with birds happen mainly during the winter season, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal report, as it is the bird migration season in Kathmandu valley.

Visit STOMP for more stories.