The Civil Aviation Department today confirmed that an American Airlines flight
from Belize to Miami experienced a bird-strike shortly after take-off yesterday.
The flight had to return immediately. It did so within five minutes of getting
airborne because although the bird strike happened right after it took off,
the jet had to gain altitude and then make the approach to the runway. According
to Director of Civil Aviation Jose Contreras, it was examined on the ground
by a qualified mechanic who determined that there was no damage and cleared
it to continue on to Miami. According to Contreras bird strikes are not frequent
in Belize because, “we don’t have that kind of bird environment
near the airport.”
For those not familiar with the term “bird strike”, it is a collision
between a bird or birds with a plan, which has been known to cause engine failure
and loss of life. Fortunately in this case, there was no damage.
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