Flight HV-5021 | Registration: PH-HBM
Date: 9 April 2025 | Location: Departing Rotterdam, Diverted to Amsterdam Schiphol (EHAM)
Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-800
• Engines: 2 × CFM International CFM56-7B26
• Operator: Transavia Airlines
• Registration: PH-HBM
• Flight Number: HV-5021
• Callsign: TRA5021
• Route: Rotterdam The Hague Airport (EHRD), Netherlands to Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (LEMG), Spain
• Date of Incident: 9 April 2025
• Total Occupants: Estimated 189 (including crew)
• Weather Conditions: Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) reported
Introduction
On 9 April 2025, Transavia flight HV-5021 from Rotterdam to Málaga was forced to divert shortly after take-off due to a bird strike incident involving the ingestion of two large birds—later identified as geese—into the aircraft’s right-hand engine. The Boeing 737-800, registration PH-HBM, had just departed runway 24 when the crew declared a PAN-PAN emergency and halted their climb at 3,000 feet. The flight was safely diverted to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where it landed without further incident approximately 45 minutes later. Post-flight inspection confirmed engine damage consistent with dual bird ingestion.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed from Rotterdam The Hague Airport and began its climb over the densely populated and bird-prone lowlands of South Holland. At approximately 3,000 feet AGL, the flight crew experienced a sudden ingestion event involving the No. 2 engine (right-hand side).
The crew declared PAN-PAN, indicating a situation requiring urgent attention but not immediate danger, and stopped the climb. The affected engine was likely left running at reduced thrust or possibly shut down, depending on vibration levels and engine instrument readings.
Flight HV-5021 entered a holding pattern to assess aircraft performance and coordination with ATC. The decision was made to divert to Amsterdam Schiphol (EHAM), where longer runways and full emergency services were available. The aircraft landed safely on runway 36R and taxied to a remote stand for inspection.
Crew & Communication
The crew’s immediate actions following the bird strike aligned with Boeing and airline-standard emergency procedures for engine ingestion events:
• Reduction or shutdown of affected engine to prevent further internal damage
• Cross-check of engine instruments: N1/N2, EGT, fuel flow, and vibration sensors
• Communication with ATC declaring PAN-PAN
• Coordination with cabin crew and initiation of diversion protocol
The declaration of PAN-PAN rather than MAYDAY indicated the aircraft remained controllable with one engine performing adequately. ATC provided direct routing and traffic prioritisation into Amsterdam.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Boeing 737-800’s CFM56 engines are designed to tolerate limited bird ingestion. However, impacts with large birds—such as geese—can cause:
• Compressor blade damage or detachment
• Fan imbalance and high vibration
• EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) exceedance
• Oil or fuel system leaks
• Potential engine flameout
Following shutdown and landing, engineering inspection revealed that two geese were ingested into the right-hand engine, with visible damage to multiple fan blades and casing deformation. The engine was likely removed from service for shop-level repair or full replacement.
The aircraft remained grounded in Amsterdam for over 30 hours following the event, confirming the need for deeper inspection or component replacement.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
There were no injuries reported. The cabin remained stable and controlled throughout the incident. Passengers were informed of the technical issue and diversion.
Cabin crew followed standard communication protocols, reassured passengers, and prepared the cabin for precautionary landing. The descent into Amsterdam was uneventful, and passengers disembarked normally after the aircraft reached its parking position.
Affected passengers were rebooked onto a replacement aircraft (PH-HXD), which departed later the same day, reaching Málaga with a delay of approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Amsterdam Airport activated a standard emergency standby for the arriving aircraft, including fire services and engineering personnel. No active intervention was needed as the aircraft landed safely and taxied under its own power.
Transavia’s engineering team began immediate post-flight checks and collected biological remains for species identification—a standard part of bird strike analysis to aid local wildlife hazard management.
The occurrence was reported to the Dutch Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for further review and data recording in the European Central Repository.
Investigation Status
The bird strike has been classified as an operational incident with technical implications rather than a full accident.
The post-flight investigation includes:
• Detailed borescope examination of the right engine
• Analysis of vibration and engine parameters recorded in the QAR
• Wildlife hazard reporting and coordination with local airport authorities
• Maintenance history of PH-HBM and recent engine inspections
The incident will also be reviewed in context of regional bird strike frequency, particularly given known migratory patterns through the Netherlands in spring.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Probable Root Cause:
Simultaneous ingestion of two large geese into the right-hand engine during initial climb, resulting in mechanical engine damage and vibration, prompting the crew to initiate a PAN-PAN emergency and diversion.
Contributing Factors:
• Proximity of known bird habitats near Rotterdam Airport
• Time of year corresponding with migratory patterns
• Low altitude phase of flight when bird activity is high
• Potential undetected flocks on or near the departure path
The design of modern turbofan engines does mitigate single bird ingestion, but multiple large bird strikes can overwhelm tolerance thresholds.
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
Following this incident, the following operational considerations are emphasised:
• Reinforcement of wildlife management programmes at airports near wetland zones or migratory flyways
• Enhanced bird detection systems including radar and avian surveillance
• Crew awareness briefings for high-risk periods (e.g., migration seasons)
• Post-incident biological identification to inform long-term mitigation strategies
Airlines and airports are encouraged to maintain rigorous coordination with environmental agencies to reduce bird strike risk, particularly during spring and autumn migration corridors.
Conclusion
The successful diversion and safe landing of Transavia flight HV-5021 following dual bird ingestion into the right-hand engine demonstrates exemplary crew judgement and adherence to emergency protocols. While the aircraft remained under control and no passengers were harmed, the incident highlights ongoing challenges in wildlife strike prevention.
The aircraft will remain out of service pending full engine assessment and potential replacement, and lessons from this event will contribute to regional wildlife hazard management strategies.
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.
If you are the rightful owner of any referenced content or images and wish them to be removed, please contact takedown@cockpitking.com.
