Created Sunday, Feb 28th 2021 21:26Z, last updated Tuesday, Mar 2nd 2021 15:36Z
A KLM Boeing 777-200, registration PH-BQD performing flight
KL-515 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Zanzibar (Tanzania), was climbing out of Amsterdam's runway 09 when the aircraft received a bird strike(s) onto the left hand engine (GE90). In the absence of abnormal indications the crew continued the flight. The aircraft was enroute at FL350 about 100nm southeast of Athens (Greece) when the crew decided to return to Amsterdam. The aircraft climbed to FL360 for the return, later over Bosnia and Herzegovina descended the aircraft to FL280, climbed to FL340 again over Germany east of Frankfurt/Main (Germany) and landed safely back on Amsterdam's runway 06 about 5:50 hours after departure.
On Mar 2nd 2021 The Aviation Herald received information that the crew, in contact with Athens Radar, reported both engines were operating entirely normal, however, if they continued to Zanzibar the aircraft would be grounded there for many days due to lack of maintenance crews there, hence they were returning to Amsterdam for repairs. A photo had identified the damage to the engine inlet (editorial note: unclear whether a passenger photo).
A replacement Boeing 777-200 registration PH-BQC reached Zanzibar with a delay of about 7 hours.
Related Flight:
KL515,
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