A plane from the American airline American Airlines made an emergency landing at José Martí International Airport in Havana on Wednesday after striking a bird during the final approach maneuver.
According to information published by the official newspaper Granma and confirmed by the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, flight No. 837, with registration M9227NN, was struck by a bird in the front landing gear at an altitude of about 300 feet, in areas outside the perimeter of the capital's airport.
Despite the incident, the crew managed to complete the landing normally. However, when it was time to clear the runway, the aircraft experienced difficulties with directional control, prompting them to shut down the engines and request towing assistance.
"The airport emergency group followed the established protocols, which include the evacuation of passengers," Rodríguez noted in a post on Facebook.
A preliminary inspection revealed a fracture in a hydraulic pipe of the front train control system, as a result of the impact with the bird.
Cuban authorities are in communication with the airline to resolve the issue, and it has been reported that passengers are being taken care of.
This incident occurred just 14 days after a Viva Aerobus flight on the Miami-Mérida route was diverted to Havana, where it made an emergency landing due to a failure in one of its engines, creating moments of distress among the passengers.
According to the Mexican newspaper Por Esto, the maneuver was completed without major consequences thanks to the skill of pilot Roger Alonso Castillo Rivas, from Ciudad del Carmen, who was recognized on social media for saving the lives of the 215 people on board.
In the social network X, the Consulate of Mexico in Havana reported that flight 755 of Viva Aerobús, which was covering the Miami-Mérida route, landed at José Martí International Airport after an in-flight emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Emergency Landing of American Airlines Flight in Havana
Why did the American Airlines flight make an emergency landing in Havana?
The American Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing in Havana due to a bird strike on the front landing gear during the final approach maneuver. This incident caused a fracture in a hydraulic line of the control system, resulting in difficulties with the aircraft's directional control.
How was the situation handled after the emergency landing in Havana?
The airport's emergency team followed the established protocols, which included the safe evacuation of passengers and towing assistance for the aircraft. Cuban authorities are in communication with American Airlines to resolve the malfunction caused by the impact.
What consequences did the bird strike have on American Airlines' flight?
The impact of the bird caused a fracture in a hydraulic pipe of the front landing gear control system, which affected the directional control of the aircraft after landing. Fortunately, the crew was able to complete the landing normally before requesting assistance.
Filed under: