Air Arabia Maroc Airbus A320 Bird Strike at Tangier on May 5th, 2024

On May 5th, 2024, an Air Arabia Maroc Airbus A320-200, registration CN-NMN, operating flight 3O-641 from Tangier, Morocco, to Barcelona, Spain, experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Tangier’s runway 10. The aircraft was climbing through approximately 9,000 feet when the crew reported a bird strike involving one of the engines, a CFM56. The crew decided to return to Tangier as a precautionary measure. The aircraft landed safely on runway 28, approximately 25 minutes after departure.

Event Sequence:

• Takeoff and Bird Strike: The Airbus A320-200 had just departed from Tangier’s runway 10 when, during the initial climb, the crew detected an impact, later identified as a bird strike, to one of the engines. Bird strikes, while a common hazard during takeoff and landing phases, can pose serious risks, particularly when they involve engine ingestion, which can lead to engine damage or failure. In this case, the bird strike affected the CFM56 engine on the aircraft.
• Crew Actions and Decision to Return: Upon detecting the bird strike, the flight crew conducted an immediate assessment of the aircraft’s systems and engine performance. While the exact nature of the engine damage was not immediately clear, the crew made the prudent decision to return to Tangier. Following standard procedures, they informed air traffic control of their intention to return, and the aircraft began its descent back to the airport, maintaining controlled flight throughout the process.
• Safe Landing at Tangier: The aircraft made a safe landing on Tangier’s runway 28 approximately 25 minutes after the initial departure. Emergency services were on standby as a precaution, although they were not needed as the landing was uneventful. The crew expertly handled the situation, ensuring the safety of the passengers and the aircraft.

Post-Landing Actions:

• Replacement Aircraft and Delays: A replacement Airbus A320-200, registration CN-NMO, was dispatched to continue the flight to Barcelona. The replacement flight departed with a delay of approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Passengers were likely provided with accommodations and kept informed during the delay while the new aircraft was prepared for departure.

Technical Inspection and Damage Assessment:

• Engine Damage: According to information received by The Aviation Herald, one of the aircraft’s engines sustained damage as a result of the bird strike. Bird strikes involving engines can lead to a range of damage, from minor impacts affecting the fan blades to more severe damage involving engine components. In this case, the affected CFM56 engine likely required a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether any components needed repair or replacement before the aircraft could be returned to service.
• Aircraft Grounding and Return to Service: The occurrence aircraft remained grounded in Tangier for approximately 18 hours following the incident. During this time, maintenance teams conducted detailed inspections of the engine, and any necessary repairs were carried out. The extended grounding period indicates that the damage, while not catastrophic, required time to ensure the engine was fully operational before returning the aircraft to service.

Conclusion:

The bird strike involving Air Arabia Maroc flight 3O-641 on May 5th, 2024, was managed professionally by the flight crew, who took immediate and appropriate action to return to Tangier safely. Bird strikes remain a common but serious risk to aviation, particularly during the takeoff and landing phases, where aircraft are most likely to encounter birds.

The decision to return to Tangier ensured that any potential risks associated with the engine damage were mitigated, and the aircraft was grounded for approximately 18 hours to allow for a full inspection and necessary repairs. A replacement aircraft was dispatched to complete the flight, albeit with a delay of about 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Once the aircraft was cleared, it returned to service, underscoring the effectiveness of the airline’s maintenance and safety protocols. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by wildlife to aviation safety and the importance of maintaining rigorous procedures to handle such occurrences.