Air Zimbabwe forced to abort take off in Malawi

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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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

TAGS: EAIR MI

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

(24 VIEWS)