-KATHMANDU
Himalaya Airlines’ Airbus A320-214(SL) ‘9N-ALV’ remains grounded at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu since March as the maintenance work is in progress.
According to the highly placed source, the aircraft had suffered a bird strike while landing at TIA for a schedule flight on March, 2018. The aircraft remains grounded after accomplishing its schedule flight from Dammam to Kathmandu H9560 on 15th of March, 2018.
After the immediate bird strike, the gas turbine fan blades were found missing from the left hand engine of the aircraft as it went through the detailed inspection by the Himalaya Engineering Team.
The officials stated that the aircraft remained grounded as the CFM56-5 Engine was dismantled and sent to the CFM International Engine, the Manufacturer for the overhaul of the engine and for maintenance process. The aircraft is anticipated to come in operation from mid of August, 2018. Since, the Company’s one aircraft remained grounded the flight operation of Himalaya Airlines is smooth and has not been halted.
The country’s sole international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has long been facing wildlife hazards whereas Bird Hit problem have posed a serious threat to air safety of Nepal. Mostly, every day the airport has seen many birds in its vicinity that produced huge losses due to their presence in the takeoff and landing area.
The frequent bird strike incidents have proved safety of TIA to be vulnerable. So, the governing authority must find and implement effective solutions to mitigate wildlife hazard at TIA premises and enhance the safety.
