Created Friday, Jan 3rd 2025 16:00Z, last updated Friday, Jan 3rd 2025 19:31Z
An Air Azores Airbus A320-200, registration CS-TKP performing flight
S4-124 from Ponta Delgada to Lisbon (Portugal), was climbing out of Ponta Delgada's runway 12 when the crew stopped the climb at 2500 feet after flying through a flock of gulls causing multiple impacts and returned to Ponta Delgada for a safe landing on runway 12 about 10 minutes after departure.
A ground observer reported the birds had been sitting on the runway and flew up when the aircraft departed and collided with a number of them.
Passengers reported that just after having become airborne three or four bangs were heard in rapid succession from both the left hand and right hand engines each, subsequently the engines sounded strange and there were vibrations in the cabin.
A post flight inspection revealed both engines had been affected.
A replacement Airbus A321-200N registration CS-TSF reached Lisbon with a delay of about 2:15 hours.
The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Ponta Delgada about 25 hours after landing.
According to information The Aviation Herald received, the Gaivotas (Portuguese for Gulls) struck the right main landing gear, belly and both wings, a gull and feathers was stuck at the left hand slats, the right hand engine fan blades need replacement.
The aircraft seen after landing:
Related Flight:
S4124,
Azores Airlines News
