Turkish Airlines flight prepares for emergency landing after bird strike
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A Turkish Airlines aircraft carrying 253 passengers and 10 crew members is preparing to make an emergency landing at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake after suffering a bird strike.
Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority Daminda Rambukwella said the decision to return to the airport was taken following the incident.
The aircraft, identified as flight TK-731, is an A330 wide-body passenger aircraft that was travelling to Istanbul, Türkiye. It took off from Katunayake Airport at 7:07 AM today (July 11).
It is currently flying over the Negombo Lagoon area to burn off fuel and reduce its landing weight.
The aircraft is expected to return to Katunayake Airport and land at around 10:00 AM.
UPDATE – 10:30 AM:
A Turkish Airlines passenger aircraft that had been circling after suffering a bird strike while departing from Katunayake for Istanbul, Türkiye, has landed safely.
The aircraft, identified as flight TK-731, suffered the bird strike after taking off from Katunayake International Airport at 7:07 AM today (July 11), with 253 passengers and 10 crew members on board.
To prepare for a safe landing, the aircraft flew at a low altitude over the Negombo Lagoon area to burn off fuel.
The A330 wide-body passenger aircraft landed safely at 10:24 AM today. The airport had also made preparations to respond to any emergency.
