A plane landed with a dead bird embedded in its nose like a grim figurehead at the prow yesterday.

The bird struck as the plane flew near Caracas-Simón Bolívar International Airport in in Venezuela.

It died on impact, leaving its wing dangling from the plane’s nose and a claw poking out behind the carcass.

Despite the clear damage to the front of the Cessna 650 aircraft, its pilot was able to land safely yesterday with no reported injuries to those inside.

It is not clear exactly what species of bird was involved, but its hooked talons and wide wing suggest it was a large bird of prey, possibly a black hawk eagle which is found throughout South America.

Bird strikes are not uncommon.

The Civil Aviation Authority, which oversees aviation in the UK, dealt with more than 1,535 reports of birds in plane engines in 2013.

This can be dangerous, particularly if the bird is caught up in the rotor blades.

One of the most notorious bird strikes in recent history was when heroic Captain Sullenberger landed a US Airways plane on the Hudson River after it hit a flock of Canada geese. He managed to save everyone on board.

Source:
courtesy of METRO

by Jen Mills

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]