KLM flight KL661 Suffers Bird Strike While Departing Amsterdam

On November 15, 2024, KLM flight KL661, operated by one of the airline’s six Airbus A330-200 aircraft (registered PH-AOA), encountered a bird strike while departing from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on a scheduled ten-hour journey to Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in the United States. The aircraft took off from runway 24 at approximately 10:09 AM local time. However, just four minutes after departure, at an altitude of 6,000 feet (1,829 meters), the flight crew reported a bird strike to air traffic control.

Emergency Procedure and Landing

The bird strike caused vibrations in both of the aircraft’s General Electric CF6 engines, as reported by the flight crew. Following the incident, the pilots halted the climb and requested to remain within the airport’s vicinity to complete safety checklists and prepare for an emergency landing. The aircraft circled off the west coast of the Netherlands while heading north before initiating its approach back to Schiphol.

The emergency landing was successfully completed on runway 18R at 10:36 AM, 27 minutes after the aircraft’s departure. Fortunately, the situation was managed without further complications. At the time of publishing, the aircraft had remained grounded at Amsterdam Schiphol and had not resumed service.

Aircraft Involved

The Airbus A330-200 involved in the incident is 19.3 years old, with the registration of PH-AOA. The aircraft was delivered to KLM in August 2005. It is configured to seat 264 passengers across three cabin classes: 18 in business class, 36 in premium economy, and 210 in economy. This aircraft is part of KLM’s fleet of six A330-200s, which are integral to its long-haul operations.

Bird Strikes: A Persistent Aviation Hazard

Bird strikes remain a recurring challenge in aviation, with numerous incidents recorded over the years. Among the most famous stories is US Airways flight 1549, which hit a flock of geese shortly after departing New York’s LaGuardia Airport in January 2009. The flight, captained by Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, performed an emergency water landing on the Hudson River. The incident became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson” due to the successful evacuation of all passengers and crew.

Interestingly, while Captain Sullenberger gained widespread recognition for his leadership during the emergency, his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, played a pivotal role in ensuring the flight’s safe outcome. Skiles retired last Sunday from American Airlines, concluding a remarkable flying career that spanned decades.

• Featured image By BriYYZ

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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