Bird strike at Bathpalathang

The aircraft fortunately suffered no major damage from the flock of sparrows on its flight path 

A Drukair flight approaching Bathpalathang airport in Bumthang suffered a bird strike early last morning.

The flight returned safely to Paro airport, where the 48-seater twin turbo-propeller ATR was examined, and no major damage was found to have occurred to the aircraft.  There were four passengers on board the flight to Bumthang.

It was found that the aircraft had collided with a flock of sparrows.

Drukair CEO Tandin Jamso said that no major damage had occurred to the aircraft, except for a cracked wingtip navigation light.

While Drukair officials were concerned about one of the aircraft’s engines, an inspection found no damage and engine start up tests cleared the aircraft for flight operations, Tandin Jamso said.

After cleaning the aircraft’s engine and exterior, the plane resumed its Bumthang flight later in the day.

Tandin Jamso said this is the second time a bird strike has occurred in Bhutanese airspace since 2011, and that the national airline is concerned.

In July 2011, a Delhi bound Airbus A319 struck a flock of pigeons on takeoff from Paro airport.  The bird strike caused major damage to one of the aircraft’s engine.

Tandin Jamso said Drukair would raise its “serious concerns” regarding bird strikes with the department of civil aviation (DCA).  He added that, in the long run, DCA should employ counter measures to control and manage birds around airports in the country, such as the use of a “scare gun” or firearm that fires blank ammunition prior to take offs and landings.

Tandin Jamso explained that as there are human settlements on both ends of the runway of Paro airport, birds are attracted to these areas, as they provide a source for food.  He also pointed out that Bathpalathang in Bumthang and Gelephu airport in Sarpang are surrounded by paddy fields, which attract birds, especially during the sowing and harvesting seasons.

Tandin Jamso said the use of counter measures would not only increase safety, but also reduce the airline’s costs for repairs.

DCA director, Wangdi Gyeltshen said that the authority would definitely look into the issue.  Various kinds of counter measures are used by airports abroad, such as using trained dogs and falcons, to technology solutions, like lasers and radio controlled aircraft.

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