EasyJet Flight Declares Emergency After Bird Strike on Departure from Liverpool

An easyJet Airbus A320-214, flight number EZY18KP, experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Wednesday at 4:25pm, leading to a declaration of emergency and a return to the airport. The flight was bound for Bodrum, Turkey. The aircraft circled over Cheshire for approximately 30 minutes before landing safely back in Liverpool.

Key Takeaways:

• The bird strike occurred on flight EZY18KP, an Airbus A320-214, 11 years old, shortly after takeoff from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
• The flight was declared an emergency, indicated by squawking 7700, a standard distress code for air traffic control, shortly after takeoff.
• The aircraft, carrying passengers, circled over Cheshire for approximately 30 minutes before landing safely back in Liverpool.
• EasyJet's flight procedures were followed, with the pilot returning to Liverpool and performing a routine landing to be inspected by engineers.
• The safety of passengers and crew was easyJet's highest priority, according to a spokesperson.
• Royal Air Force guidance states that the 7700 distress code is transmitted in cases of a "general emergency."

Statistics:

• The flight took off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 4:25pm on Wednesday.
• The aircraft circled over Cheshire for approximately 30 minutes.
• The flight number EZY18KP is an Airbus A320-214, 11 years old.
• The passengers disembarked safely after the aircraft landed back in Liverpool.

Sources:

• EasyJet spokesperson, as quoted by the ECHO.
• Royal Air Force guidance on the 7700 distress code.
• Flightradar24, for the flight's tracking and aircraft information.
• ECHO, for the incident report.