It’s not every day that an airplane embarks on a journey and comes back to its departure point within three hours. However, such a scenario unfolded recently when an Air France flight, AF291, was forced to return to Osaka Kansai Airport due to a bird strike.
A Collision with a Feathered Foe
Destined for Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport from Osaka, AF291 was crewed by a competent crew. The vehicle for the trip was a one-year-old Airbus A350-900, registered as F-HTYO. With a team ready for the journey, the aircraft took off at 11:15 JST.
However, just over half an hour later, while the aircraft was cruising at 35,000 ft just north of Tokyo, the crew detected an unanticipated situation. The otherwise routine bird strike had a significant impact, damaging the aircraft’s nose cone and causing a technical malfunction. The affected areas were none other than the weather radar and speedometer of the Airbus A350-900 – key components for a safe flight.
Safety Comes First
The bird strike’s impact and the resulting cone damage were identified around 11:50 JST. The crew swiftly decided to return to Osaka, declaring an emergency at approximately 12:10 JST. Passengers aboard were initially taken aback, as a passenger relayed to local media, “They suddenly announced that they were going to return, so I didn’t know what to expect. It didn’t make a particularly loud noise, which was strange.” Despite the unexpected turn of events, the crew managed to maintain composure and reassure passengers onboard.
The Aftermath of the Incident
Making a safe return, AF291 landed in Osaka at 14:25 JST. The subsequent inspection resulted in the temporary closure of the airport’s runway 24R for nearly an hour, causing minor delays for at least 11 other flights. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries among the flight’s 324 passengers and crew.
Investigations into the incident are currently being carried out by The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Preliminary findings suggest minor damage on the nose radome and pitot tubes. Meanwhile, the Airbus A350-900 remains grounded at Osaka Kansai, as local news outlets show minor maintenance activities at the terminal.
Reflecting on this event reminds us of the unpredictability of air travel and the importance of being prepared for any scenario. Despite an unanticipated bird strike, the team aboard Air France AF291 demonstrated how crucial well-trained crews are in handling such situations such as a bird strike. As we watch the Airbus A350-900 receive its minor repairs, let’s acknowledge the importance of the constant vigilance, quick decision-making, and composure that defines the aviation industry.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
