A Jet2 flight from Yorkshire to Crete was forced to make an emergency landing at Manchester Airport following a bird strike shortly after takeoff. Flight LS443, which departed Leeds Bradford Airport at approximately 9am on Monday bound for Heraklion, Crete, struck a bird soon after departure, prompting the crew to halt the climb. The aircraft landed safely at Manchester Airport at 9.53am.
Passenger Account
Alex, from Baildon, reported hearing a "very loud bang" and an "immediate smell of burning feathers and flesh." He told the Yorkshire Post that the plane held north of Manchester Airport at 10,000 feet for about an hour before landing. Emergency crews met the aircraft on the runway to inspect the engine and landing gear. Passengers disembarked and were transferred to another A320 aircraft at Manchester.
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