Swan Strike Forces Emergency Landing of Passenger Jet at Gatwick Airport

A dramatic emergency landing was caused by swans colliding with a large passenger aircraft. The impact was so forceful that it left the plane riddled with holes, resembling "a car hitting a concrete wall."

The incident involved a Boeing 737 Max operated by TUI, which was forced to make an urgent descent shortly after taking off from Gatwick Airport en route to Cape Verde. The pilots issued a mayday distress call at approximately 1,000 feet, following a bird strike at a speed of 185mph. This strike not only punctured the fuselage but also cracked the windscreen.

Upon landing, the plane was met with an escort on the runway. Images from the scene show the exterior of the aircraft smeared with blood, while interior shots reveal debris scattered across the windscreen. Sources claim that the encounter with the two "giant" birds compromised the aircraft's ability to pressurize, a critical phase of the flight.

"Bird strikes are not uncommon at UK airports but this was on a scale of terror never seen before."

"It is believed at least two giant swans careered into the jet as it reached high speed. The sheer size of the birds, and the double strike, penetrated the jet's forward fuselage. The strike breached the pressure bulkhead so the pilots couldn't pressurize the plane.