Flight E4-219 | Registration: SP-ENU
Date: 31 March 2025 | Location: Enroute to Antalya, Turkey (Diversion)
Introduction
On 31 March 2025, an Enter Air Boeing 737-800, registration SP-ENU, operating flight E4-219 from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (LLBG), Israel, to Kraków John Paul II Airport (EPKK), Poland, experienced an in-flight engine issue following a bird strike shortly after departure. The aircraft was carrying 180 occupants, including a group of 150 Israeli students travelling on an educational tour to Poland.
During the initial climb from runway 26, the crew reported ingestion of birds into one of the CFM56 engines. As a precaution, the flight levelled off at FL120 and entered a holding pattern to assess the situation. Approximately 20 minutes later, the aircraft resumed a reduced climb to FL220 and diverted to Antalya Airport (LTAI), Turkey, where it landed safely on runway 36R around 95 minutes after takeoff.
Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-86N
• Engines: 2 × CFM International CFM56-7B26
• Operator: Enter Air
• Tail Number: SP-ENU
• Flight Number: E4-219
• Departure Airport: Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (LLBG), Israel
• Destination Airport (Scheduled): Kraków John Paul II Airport (EPKK), Poland
• Diversion Airport: Antalya Airport (LTAI), Turkey
• Date of Incident: 31 March 2025
• Occupants: 180 (including 150 Israeli students)
• Phase of Flight: Initial climb
• Altitude Hold: FL120
• Diversion Altitude: FL220
• Time to Landing: Approx. 95 minutes after departure
Sequence of Events
Takeoff and Bird Strike
Flight E4-219 departed Tel Aviv’s runway 26 under normal weather conditions. Shortly after gear retraction and during the climb, the crew reported a suspected bird strike into the left engine (CFM56). Engine vibration and abnormal readings prompted the crew to halt the climb at FL120.
Holding Pattern and Systems Check
The aircraft was instructed to enter a holding pattern to allow time for system checks and communication with airline operations and maintenance control. No engine fire or shutdown was reported, but the flight remained at FL120 for approximately 20 minutes while the crew evaluated engine performance and fuel calculations.
Decision to Divert
Given the nature of the incident and the route over water, the crew made a decision to divert to Antalya, Turkey, which provided a closer and suitable alternate with full emergency facilities and Boeing 737 maintenance support. The aircraft climbed to a reduced cruise altitude of FL220 for the Mediterranean crossing and conducted a precautionary landing at Antalya Airport’s runway 36R.
Post-Landing Actions
• Technical Inspection: Upon landing, airport fire and rescue services met the aircraft and conducted a visual inspection. Ground maintenance crews were dispatched to assess the engine condition and confirm damage from the bird ingestion.
• Passenger Handling: Passengers were safely disembarked. No injuries were reported.
• Operational Response: Enter Air arranged a replacement aircraft, Boeing 737-800 registration SP-ESD, to position to Antalya and complete the journey to Kraków. The replacement flight was scheduled to depart later that evening.
Technical Considerations
Engine Type and Bird Strike Resilience
The CFM56-7B engines powering the 737-800 are certified for bird ingestion tolerance; however, ingestion of larger birds or multiple birds may result in compressor damage, vibration, or engine rollback. While the engine did not require immediate shutdown, the precautionary diversion aligns with best industry practice following a potential engine compromise.
Regulatory Procedures
As per ICAO and EASA regulations, any in-flight engine performance anomaly following suspected ingestion constitutes a reportable incident. Turkish and Polish aviation authorities, along with the airline’s engineering division, are expected to analyse engine data for signs of damage or system malfunction.
Weather and Environmental Conditions
• METAR for LLBG (Tel Aviv) at Departure:
LLBG 311120Z 27008KT CAVOK 20/13 Q1018 NOSIG
• Conditions: Clear skies, calm wind, excellent visibility. No adverse weather contributed to the incident.
Passenger and Operational Impact
• Group Involved: 150 Israeli students en route to a historical educational programme in Poland.
• Delay: The replacement flight from Antalya to Kraków was estimated to arrive approximately 14 hours later than scheduled.
• Aircraft Status: SP-ENU remains grounded in Antalya as of 31 March 2025, pending engine inspection and potential component replacement.
Summary and Outlook
The suspected bird strike incident involving Enter Air’s Boeing 737-800 demonstrates the effectiveness of crew response protocols in handling potential engine issues during critical phases of flight. The swift decision to hold, evaluate, and divert ensured the safety of all on board.
Although the incident did not result in an engine shutdown or visible fire, post-flight inspection and engine borescope examination will determine the extent of internal damage. This event serves as a reminder of the operational risks posed by bird activity near airports, particularly during spring migration periods in the Mediterranean region.
A formal incident report is expected to be filed with both Turkish and Polish aviation authorities.
Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available data and official statements as of 31 March 2025. Information may change pending further investigation. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced content and wish it to be removed, please contact takedown@cockpitking.com.
