An Air Zimbabwe plane was forced to abort take off at Kamuzu International Airport on 8 May 2008 when two birds, flying about the runway, were reportedly sucked into one of its engines as the plane was about to take off.
The Boeing 767 aircraft was on its scheduled flight from Harare to London via Lilongwe.
The pilot managed to abandon take-off, but eight tyres burst and caught fire when the pilot applied the emergency brakes.
The fire engine at the airport was able to put the fire out without further incident.
No one was injured in the event, but the airline reported some minor damage to the affected engine.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 08LILONGWE262, MALAWI: AIR ZIMBABWE PLANE AIR SAFETY INCIDENT IN LILONGWE
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Reference ID |
Created |
Classification |
Origin |
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VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLG #0262 1301043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091043Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5233
RUEBBEA/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000262
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
SUBJECT: MALAWI: AIR ZIMBABWE PLANE AIR SAFETY INCIDENT IN LILONGWE
An Air Zimbabwe Aircraft was forced to abort take off at Kamuzu
International Airport on May 8, 2008 when two birds, flying about
the runway, were reportedly sucked into one of its engines as the
plane was about to take off. The Boeing 767 aircraft was on its
scheduled flight from Harare to London via Lilongwe. The pilot
managed to abandon take-off, but eight tires burst and caught fire
when the pilot applied the emergency brakes. The fire engine at the
airport was able to put the fire out without further incident. No
one was injured in the event, but the airline reported some minor
damage to the affected engine.
SULLIVAN
(25 VIEWS)
