Malawian Airlines plane clashes with bird after take off: Forced to return at KIA

Passengers aboard a South Africa bound Malawian Airlines plane were forced to return to Kamuzu International Airport (KIA)  Thursday morning in Lilongwe after their plane clashed with a bird soon after take-off.

Malawian Airlines spokesperson Joseph Josiah  confirmed the incident.

He said the plane returned to the airport after pilots noticed that it had damaged blades in one of the engines  because of the birds’ impact to the plane.

Josiah said the aircraft was destined for Johannesburg.

“It had to make a u-turn to Kamuzu International Airport barely a few minutes after take off following a ‘bird clash'” said Josiah.

He said the the plane, which left at 8:10 am returned to the base after 25 minutes.

He said  Malawian Airlines has since called for spare parts from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and that  they hope to repair the plane t so that it goes to South Africa.