A routine flight from Patna to Ranchi took a tense turn on Monday afternoon when an IndiGo aircraft encountered a bird strike mid-air, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport.
According to airport authorities, the Airbus A320 was about 10 to 12 nautical miles from the airport, cruising at an altitude between 3,000 to 4,000 feet, when it was struck by a vulture. The incident happened around 1:14 PM. Despite the sudden mid-air complication, the pilot managed a safe landing, avoiding what could have become a major safety hazard.
The flight was carrying roughly 175 passengers. No injuries were reported, and all passengers and crew members disembarked safely. “The aircraft suffered a dent after being hit by the bird. Our engineering team is currently assessing the extent of the damage,” confirmed R.R. Maurya, Director of Birsa Munda Airport.
While such bird strikes are not uncommon, hitting a large bird like a vulture poses higher risks due to the potential impact on the aircraft’s engine or body. In this case, immediate action by the flight crew ensured the situation remained under control.
The IndiGo flight, which was originally scheduled to continue on to Kolkata after landing in Ranchi, was grounded following the emergency. Replacement arrangements for passengers scheduled on the next leg were not immediately disclosed. IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has not released an official statement on the incident.
Airport operations remained unaffected, although ground staff were seen inspecting the area and reviewing bird-control measures around the airspace. Bird activity near airports remains a challenge, particularly in regions with open dumping grounds or water bodies nearby, which attract large birds.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not commented yet, but such incidents typically trigger a routine safety review.
While the emergency landing was executed without harm, the event serves as another reminder of the risks that still persist in air travel — and the critical role pilot preparedness and timely action play in keeping passengers safe.
