On 2 May 2025, a Qatar Airways Airbus A320-200 operating scheduled international flight QR202 from Budapest to Doha was forced to abort its climb and return to its departure airport after encountering a flock of birds during takeoff. The event resulted in high engine vibration readings, particularly on the starboard engine, and triggered an airborne emergency response including a precautionary hold and a safe return to land. The aircraft has remained grounded in Budapest since the incident, and the flight was cancelled.
Flight Overview
Operator: Qatar Airways Flight Number: QR202 Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-232 Registration: A7-AHX Engines: 2 × IAE V2527-A5 Date of Occurrence: 2 May 2025 Route: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (LHBP) to Hamad International Airport, Doha (OTHH) Occupants: Not publicly disclosed (typical configuration: 144–162 passengers, 6–8 crew) Runway Used for Departure and Landing: 13L Incident Classification: Bird Strike – Return to Departure Airport Final Status: Aircraft landed safely; flight cancelled; no injuries
Incident Timeline
Takeoff and Initial Climb
At approximately 09:20 local time, Qatar Airways flight QR202 commenced takeoff roll from runway 13L at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (LHBP) under normal visibility and VMC conditions. Shortly after becoming airborne—within the first few hundred feet of altitude—the aircraft encountered a flock of birds directly along the departure track, reportedly within the departure corridor over or just beyond the runway end.
During the first phase of climbout, the flight crew reported to ATC that they had sustained a bird strike, with indications pointing toward multiple impacts on the airframe and nacelles.
Engine Vibration and Hold
Shortly thereafter, flight deck instrumentation began registering elevated vibration levels on the No. 2 (right-hand) engine, an International Aero Engines (IAE) V2527-A5 turbofan.
The A320’s Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) or equivalent Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) would have triggered VIB or ENG VIB advisory or caution messages. Acceptable in-flight vibration levels for V2500-series engines are normally below 1.5 units, with levels above 5.0 typically triggering crew response procedures.
In response to the anomaly, the crew levelled off at 5,000 feet, declared a precautionary situation, and initiated a holding pattern near Budapest to assess engine performance, consult ECAM checklists, and coordinate a return with ATC.
Decision to Return and Landing
Following approximately 30–40 minutes of holding and systems monitoring, the flight crew elected to return to LHBP. The aircraft was vectored for an approach back to runway 13L, the same runway used for departure. An uneventful approach and safe landing were completed approximately 1 hour after departure.
Emergency services were positioned along the runway per standard precautionary measures. Post-landing inspection confirmed multiple bird impacts to the aircraft. No injuries were reported, and all passengers disembarked normally via the jetbridge. The flight was officially cancelled, and the aircraft was removed from service.
Technical Considerations
Bird Strike Dynamics and Engine Vulnerability
A bird strike during the takeoff or initial climb phase is a high-risk scenario due to several compounding factors:
High engine RPM and low forward speed during rotation = higher ingestion likelihood Engines operating at takeoff thrust levels = high thermal and mechanical stress Bird ingestion into engine fan/compressor = can result in blade damage, vibration, stall, or flameout Multiple bird impacts across airframe = risk to leading edges, pitot/static systems, and cockpit glazing
The IAE V2527-A5 turbofan engine has a large bypass ratio and a multi-stage axial compressor. Even minor bird ingestion at the fan or low-pressure compressor stage can disrupt airflow, create mass imbalance, or damage blades, leading to increased vibration and potential performance degradation.
A7-AHX’s ECAM system would have allowed the crew to monitor real-time engine parameters, including:
N1 / N2 speeds Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Fuel Flow (FF) Vibration levels Engine pressure ratio (EPR)
Based on the report, the aircraft sustained elevated vibration on the starboard engine, but not to the point of engine shutdown or immediate emergency descent.
Engine Vibration Response Procedure (Airbus A320)
Airbus and IAE procedures for high engine vibration advise:
Monitor engine parameters and vibration levels If vibration remains below damage thresholds and other parameters are stable, maintain engine operation If vibration is excessive or increasing with N1/N2 instability or rising EGT, consider thrust reduction or engine shutdown Use QRH checklist for ENG VIBRATION Land at nearest suitable airport
The Qatar Airways crew, by maintaining 5,000 feet and entering a hold, followed best-practice engine monitoring procedures to confirm the situation had stabilised before executing the return.
Post-Landing Inspection and Maintenance Actions
Following the landing, Budapest Airport operations conducted a full runway sweep, confirming a bird flock had been encountered during QR202’s takeoff roll and initial climb.
On-ground engineering teams would have begun a multi-point inspection, including:
Fan blade boroscope inspection Fan case and inlet cowl examination for damage or foreign object debris Internal engine washdown if biological material present Vibration sensor diagnostics Nacelle and pylon structure checks Wing leading edge, radome, and windscreen inspection Pitot-static port checks for contamination
If bird ingestion is confirmed, Qatar Airways’ maintenance procedures—under both EASA CAMO and Part 145 protocols—mandate documentation in the Aircraft Technical Log, possible engine off-wing removal, and reporting to the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and EASA’s ECCAIRS database.
Aircraft Information
Type: Airbus A320-232 Registration: A7-AHX Engines: 2 × IAE V2527-A5 Operator: Qatar Airways Typical Seating: 144 (business + economy) MSN: (Not published at time of writing) Airframe Age: Est. 10–13 years based on registry ETOPS/ETOPS-180 Certified: Yes
As of 4 May 2025 (2.5 days after the event), A7-AHX remains grounded at Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport. No timeframe for return-to-service has been issued publicly, pending further diagnostic evaluation and possible engine component replacement.
Wildlife Hazard Management and Airport Context
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is located near open fields and water retention areas, which are known attractants for migratory and local bird populations. Airports globally deploy wildlife management programmes including:
Pyrotechnic bird deterrents Habitat modification Radar bird detection systems (Avian Radar) Routine runway inspections pre- and post-movement
The exact species involved in this event has not been released but may include medium to large migratory birds common to the Carpathian Basin in spring.
Qatar Airways and the Hungarian airport authority will likely liaise on wildlife hazard mitigation and procedural reviews to identify potential improvements in pre-departure wildlife surveillance.
Regulatory and Safety Implications
The event has been reported to:
Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-HU) Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ECCAIRS and ICAO ADREP systems
Although bird strikes are non-preventable hazards, the management of their consequences—through aircrew training, aircraft system robustness, and airport wildlife control—forms a critical part of Safety Management Systems (SMS).
In this case, the aircraft’s systems performed within design expectations, and the flight crew executed an effective and compliant return under guidance from Airbus-provided QRH and FCOM procedures.
Conclusion
The 2 May 2025 bird strike involving Qatar Airways A320-200 A7-AHX represents a textbook response to a high-risk operational hazard. Bird ingestion into turbine engines remains one of the most unpredictable threats in commercial aviation, particularly during takeoff and climbout phases.
By following ECAM prompts, monitoring engine parameters, holding for assessment, and coordinating a safe return, the Qatar Airways crew ensured safety without escalation. The prolonged ground time following landing reflects the seriousness with which even non-catastrophic bird strikes are handled in post-flight diagnostics and airworthiness procedures.
No passengers were injured, and the flight cancellation was a direct result of adherence to aircraft safety protocols and airline operational safety management.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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