Several news outlets have mentioned yesterday and today that an airplane’s wing broke after a bird entered its engine. The incident happened in Beirut International Airport, they claimed. So, what is the truth behind this news? and why are we interested about it?
The second part of the story is true. The airplane was in Beirut international airport, and it was getting ready to take off, when the bird entered its engine. However, the airplane’s wing did not break, “Royal Jordanian” airlines informed “greenarea.info” in a phone call interview earlier today.
The details of the incident, as they told us are that “a bird entered the airplane’s engine last night,” knowing that there were two flights; one at 8:30 and the other at 11:00, the lady at “Royal Jordanian”, assisted us on the phone.
The airlines denied any news saying that the airplane’s wing broke, confirming that “the only consequence that happened was delaying the airplane’s take off for 15 minutes. The flight was heading to Amman- Jordan.
Beirut International Airport, on the other hand, told us in a phone call, that they had no idea about the incident.
Why are we interested in this?
Frankly, the birds near “Beirut International Airport”, which pose a threat on aviation safety, were not just flying peacefully somewhere far, and came for a quick visit to the airport. These birds are found in a very near area near the airport- they live in their “landfill” home; the “Costabrava” landfill.
We are tackling this issue again, since it has to do with destroying the environment, and more than that, it has to do with aviation safety.
Despite all warnings from concerned parties, and environmental experts, including warning from our website on the dangers of establishing landfills near the airport, here we find it – a “home” for seagulls and birds, posing a threat against aviation safety. This is not just an easy talk. It is a serious danger we’re facing.
Environmental expert at “greenarea.info” Dr. Naji Kodeih told us: “When we discussed the issue at the beginning of the crisis, the head of “Beirut International Airport” said that they have made all the measures needed to protect the airport from this danger (birds entering airplane’s engines).
Kodeih mentioned that “the only precautionary steps that could be taken are establishing landfills away from the airport.
American specifications forbid the establishment of any facilities related to wastes near the airport. According to them, they must be at least 3 km away. The reason behind this, is that waste treatment facilities attract Birds of prey.
Since Lebanon is located near the Mediterranean, it is prone to birds of prey and seagulls. This increases the rate of aviation accidents, especially among jet planes.
Let’s hope the Lebanese government would think of better solutions, for the environment, and for the Lebanese. After all, sea gulls and birds of prey will not know who is going to be on the plane. They might just enter the engine and cause accidents. We do not want that to happen, and we do not want to destroy our environment.
