Flight TK-2817 | Registration: TC-JMI
Date: 6 April 2025 | Location: Trabzon Airport (LTAB), Turkey
Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: Airbus A321-231
• Engines: 2 × IAE V2533-A5
• Operator: Turkish Airlines (THY)
• Registration: TC-JMI
• Flight Number: TK-2817
• Callsign: THY2817
• Route: Trabzon (LTAB) to Istanbul Airport (LTFM), Turkey
• Date of Incident: 6 April 2025
• Total Occupants: 178 (170 passengers, 8 crew)
• Weather Conditions: VMC, light winds, bird activity common in spring season near coastline
Introduction
On 6 April 2025, a Turkish Airlines Airbus A321-200 operating flight TK-2817 from Trabzon to Istanbul suffered a bird strike shortly after departure, resulting in ingestion of the bird into the right-hand engine. The aircraft, registered TC-JMI, discontinued its climb at 4,000 feet and returned safely to Trabzon Airport approximately 20 minutes after take-off. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft remained grounded following the incident pending inspection and possible engine maintenance.
Sequence of Events
Flight TK-2817 departed Trabzon’s runway 11 for the short domestic route to Istanbul. During the initial climb, just minutes after take-off, the right engine (V2533-A5) ingested a bird. The ingestion likely caused a brief loss of thrust or fluctuations in engine parameters, prompting the crew to halt the climb at 4,000 feet.
The crew coordinated with Trabzon ATC and initiated a return procedure. No emergency was declared, but the situation was handled as a precautionary operational event. The aircraft positioned for an approach to runway 11 and landed without further issue.
Bird remains were later confirmed on the runway and inside the right engine inlet.
Crew & Communication
The flight crew responded promptly, following standard operating procedures for engine ingestion events. Communications with air traffic control were calm and professional, and the crew maintained full control throughout the return flight.
There was no loss of control or flameout reported, suggesting that while the bird strike was confirmed, the engine either remained operational in degraded mode or was immediately throttled back.
The crew did not broadcast a MAYDAY or PAN call, indicating the issue was managed within standard checklist protocols.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The IAE V2533-A5 turbofan is a high-bypass engine equipped with bird ingestion resistance measures, including fan blade tolerance standards. However, ingestion of birds—especially large or multiple—can still cause substantial damage to fan blades, internal components, and associated engine systems.
Ingestion risks include:
• Fan blade deformation or fracture
• Compressor stalls or surges
• Engine vibration exceeding structural tolerances
• Sensor damage affecting EPR/N1 readings
In this incident, the flight crew decided to return immediately, likely triggered by unusual engine readings or increased vibration.
Maintenance personnel at Trabzon Airport would have performed:
• Borescope inspection of the affected engine
• Engine vibration data analysis
• Fan blade damage assessment
• Bird remains cleanup and analysis
If blade damage or imbalance was confirmed, the engine would likely be removed and replaced or undergo on-wing repairs depending on the severity.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
Passengers may have heard or felt a brief disturbance shortly after take-off, depending on the severity of the bird impact. No reports have surfaced indicating any onboard panic or abnormal cabin conditions.
The flight crew kept passengers informed, with cabin crew continuing standard safety procedures during the return. The landing was uneventful, and passengers disembarked normally after arriving back at the gate.
Some passengers posted on social media noting a “short flight” and the captain mentioning a bird strike as the reason for the return.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Airport emergency services were placed on standby but did not intervene following the safe return of the aircraft. A short runway inspection confirmed the presence of bird remains near the departure path, consistent with the reported ingestion.
Turkish Airlines engineers conducted immediate post-flight inspections, and the aircraft was declared unfit for immediate reservice. Replacement flights or rebooking were provided to passengers en route to Istanbul.
TC-JMI remained grounded in Trabzon for further inspection, and it is expected the engine will be subject to manufacturer evaluation before return to service.
Investigation Status
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of Turkey has been informed. As this is a common bird ingestion event without injury or extensive damage, a full-scale investigation is unlikely unless follow-up inspections reveal significant engine failure.
Data from the CVR and FDR will confirm engine behaviour, fan speeds, and cockpit responses. Maintenance logs and inspection reports will determine whether engine replacement or repair is necessary.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
The incident was caused by ingestion of one or more birds during the critical initial climb phase. Factors contributing include:
• Seasonal bird migration patterns near the Black Sea coast
• Potential attraction of birds to food waste or wetlands near airport perimeter
• Inability to detect or deter bird presence prior to departure
Bird activity is known to increase during spring in northern Turkey, and Trabzon’s coastal location makes it more vulnerable to bird strike incidents.
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
While bird strikes remain a known aviation hazard, this incident reinforces the need for:
• Enhanced bird control measures around airports
• Runway wildlife surveillance and dispersal procedures
• Optimisation of departure paths to avoid known bird congregation zones
• Continued reinforcement of engine design to tolerate ingestion events
EASA, IAE, and Airbus may use the findings to review ingestion tolerance metrics and update bird hazard mitigation strategies where needed.
Conclusion
This bird strike incident involving Turkish Airlines flight TK-2817 highlights the persistent risk wildlife poses to aviation operations. Prompt crew response and effective engine containment ensured the aircraft returned safely without injury or escalation.
The event underscores the importance of pre-departure runway inspections, bird activity monitoring, and post-incident maintenance protocols to ensure continued safety across global airspace.
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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