Another bird-hit at Dabolim

Another bird-hit at Dabolim
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, SEPT 25
About 163 passengers besides cabin crew had a narrow escape when a Mumbai-Goa Indian flight encountered a bird strike while landing at Dabolim airport on Friday evening.
This is the fourth bird strike at Dabolim within barely 15 days, triggering panic among officials of Airport Authority of India (AAI) and commercial airlines over the safety of passengers and cabin crew.
The aircraft which was hit at about 4.30 pm managed to land safely without any damage.
It may be recalled that on September 12, two bird strikes were reported at the airport within period of three hours.
An Air Arabia airbus 320 from Sharjah carrying over 185 passengers suffered a minor bird strike while landing at about 4.30 am. Three hours later, a Kingfisher flight with over 42 passengers had a lucky escape when the aircraft suffered a severe bird strike that damaged its propellers.
Later on September 17, another Air Arabia flight encountered a bird strike while landing at about 3 am. The aircraft had to be grounded for nearly three hours.
Speaking to Herald, Airport Director D Paul Manickam acknowledged that bird strikes had increased in the last fortnight.
“Most of these incidents have occurred while landing and that too early in the morning, except for Friday’s incident which occurred in the afternoon”, Manickam said.
“While most aircraft have operated normally after a bit strike, the Kingfisher airline had to be grounded for nearly a day”, he said.
“However, the ultimate responsibility lies with the Navy since it is a defence airfield and the Navy should take measures to curb such incidents”, Manickam added.
He informed that the Aerodrome Committee, comprising different State Government agencies, Navy and AAI will meet on September 28 to discuss the safety issue.
The increasing bird strikes at the airport is also expected to be discussed