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AN Arik Air Boeing 737-700 New Generation (NG) aircraft operating flight W3 596 from Owerri to Lagos yesterday had a bird strike on Engine 2 shortly after take-off from Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri.
This became apparent during the flight and necessitated the shutdown of Engine 2 by the flight commander, who piloted the aircraft to Lagos and then declared an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.
The aircraft, however, landed safely with no injury to the 69 passengers on board.
Speaking on the incident, Arik Air Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue, praised the operating crew of the aircraft for displaying a high sense of professionalism and called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to intensify the fight against the bird menace at the airports.
"Bird strike hampers the safety of passengers and aviation agencies should make concerted efforts to eradicate this menace. The cost implication of bird strike to airlines is enormous and operators need every possible assistance from airport authorities," Ndulue added. .
This is fourth bird strike incident experienced by the airline in 2011.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria.