A FLIGHT from Dublin Airport was forced to make an emergency landing today after a flock of birds were sucked into the engine.
Passengers on board the Aer Lingus plane were heading to Chicago, USA, before the pilot turned around and headed back to the Irish capital.
The plane was examined after a flock of birds were sucked into the engine mid-airSocial Media Handout
The Aer Lingus plane made an emergency landing in DublinAlamy
The incident occurred on board flight EI123 on a 16-year-old Airbus A330-300.
The plane departed from the North runway at 11.12am but was forced to do a U-turn and land on the South runway just 15 minutes later.
During takeoff, one passenger recalled “major vibration” on board the flight.
Travellers were later informed by the pilot that a flock of pigeons had flown into one of the engines.
He said: “My #AerLingus flight EI123 from Dublin to Chicago just had a bird strike in number two engine on takeoff.
“Captain says it was a flock of pigeons. Major vibration after takeoff lead to an emergency landing back in Dublin.”
Firefighters and airport staff attended the scene once the plane had landed back in Dublin Airport.
One member of staff had climbed inside the engine on the right side of the plane to take a closer look.
More to follow.
The plane departed from the North runway and landed on the South runway just 15 minutes later Read More