Eagle Collision with Boeing 737 Engine; Flight from Shiraz to Tehran Canceled Just Before Takeoff
On Tuesday evening, March 21, a Boeing 737 passenger aircraft on the Shiraz to Tehran route was forced to abort its flight and return to Shiraz airport parking after a sudden collision with an eagle on the right engine.
Weezha Roz-Tehran-Fakhruddin Keshavarz, the director of Fars Airports, told reporters, “The aircraft was in the pre-flight preparation stage when a raptor, specifically an eagle, collided with engine number 2 (right side), causing technical damage.
Following the incident, the flight was immediately canceled, and the plane was moved to the parking area for a thorough inspection and necessary repairs.”
Keshavarz highlighted that safety regulations were strictly followed, adding, “Initial assessments show that the damage to the engine is significant and requires reconstruction.
Fortunately, this incident occurred before the aircraft took off, and no danger threatened the passengers’ lives.”
He also emphasized that compensation for the financial and service-related impact on passengers of this flight will be provided according to the passenger rights guidelines set by the Civil Aviation Organization.
Bird strikes, particularly during migration seasons, remain a safety challenge in the aviation industry.
Due to its geographical location, Shiraz airport occasionally experiences such incidents, which are typically managed with preventive measures like bird deterrent systems.
As of now, no official response has been released by the airline regarding the technical details of the incident or the estimated time for the aircraft’s return to service.
Weezha Roz
