Plane returns to airport after hitting bird

News Desk
The Jakarta Post

A Batik Air plane that had taken off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang,
Banten and destined for Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, reportedly returned to
Soekarno-Hatta because of a technical problem after hitting a bird on Saturday.

Batik Air corporate communication strategic officer Danang Mandala Prihantoro said the Airbus
A320-200 CEO, which was carrying seven crew members and 125 passengers, took off at 6:20 p.m.

“At 6:48 p.m., the pilot returned to Soekarno-Hatta because the warning light was on. His decision
was based on operational procedures to ensure flight safety and security,” he said as quoted
by wartakota.tribunnews.com on Sunday.

After communicating with ground staff, the aircraft landed safely in Soekarno-Hatta at 7:57 p.m. All
passengers were asked to disembark the aircraft.

“After carefully examining the plane, the technicians reported traces of a bird were found on the
front of the plane’s engine. It required a significant amount of time before the plane was declared
safe to fly,” Danang said.

Batik Air transported the passengers using another plane on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

“We tried to minimize the impact of the incident so that other Batik Air flights would run to
schedule,” he added. (vla)