Flydubai B738 at Kathmandu on Apr 24th 2023, bird strike on departure

Last Update: April 25, 2023 / 15:43:19 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Apr 24, 2023

Classification
Incident

Airline
Flydubai

Flight number
FZ-576

Departure
Kathmandu, Nepal

Destination
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Aircraft Registration
A6-FED

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800

ICAO Type Designator
B738

A Flydubai Boeing 737-800, registration A6-FED performing flight FZ-576 from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with 167 people on board, was climbing out of Kathmandu when the aircraft sustained a bird strike. While the crew was analyzing the situation, the aircraft levelled off at FL280, subsequently climbed to FL340 and continued the flight to Dubai currently being enroute.

Ground observers posted videos claiming the aircraft was on fire (editorial note: possibly confusing landing lights with fire) and was refused permission to return to Kathmandu. Other observers claimed the aircraft suffered an engine (CFM56) fire.

A passenger video surfacing on Apr 25th 2023 shows the left hand engine suffered three compressor stalls/engine surges (bangs and streaks of flames).

The airline reported the aircraft experienced a bird strike on departure from Kathmandu. After following the standard operating procedures the crew continued the flight to Dubai where the aircraft is estimated to arrive at 00:14L about one hour behind schedule following a departure of about 75 minutes past schedule.

On Apr 25th 2023 a spokeswoman for Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) (editorial note: unbelievably) said, that an engine caught fire on takeoff from Kathmandu, the fire had been brought under control, the flight was normal then and continued to Dubai.

The CAAN subsequently banned two Flydubai Managers from entering Kathmandu Airport stating their claim of a bird strike was misleading. There was no evidence of a bird strike, however, one engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu. A technical committee has been set up to investigate the occurrence. (Editorial note: How on earth can an engine on fire and damaged by fire produce sufficient thrust to permit the aircraft to climb to FL340 - this CAAN claim is thus beyond belief and raises questions about the competence of the CAAN).

The airline indicated they are going to respond to the CAAN claims shortly.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Apr 24, 2023

Classification
Incident

Airline
Flydubai

Flight number
FZ-576

Departure
Kathmandu, Nepal

Destination
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Aircraft Registration
A6-FED

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800

ICAO Type Designator
B738

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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