A Boeing 737 MAX smashed into two swans and was forced to make an emergency landing.
A Boeing aircraft had to make an emergency landing after two swans smashed into the jet while it took off from London Gatwick Airport.
The TUI flight BY432 to Espargos (Cape Verde) was at 1,000 ft altitude Wednesday, February 5 2025 when pilots issued a mayday distress call following the collision at 394 km/h ground speed.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration G-TUMP) stopped the climb at 8,000 ft and started to circle for one hour to burn fuel and reduce weight before returning to London Gatwick.
After a safe landing on runway 26L, the plane was escorted to stand as blood and feathers were masking visibility for the two pilots.
The two birds also damaged the aircraft’s radome. The plane is still under maintenance at the time we’re writing this article.
