Terrifying Moment: Flight to Israel Aborts Takeoff After Bird Strike Causes Flashes and Smoke on Runway

A chartered flight heading from Georgia to Israel was forced to abort its takeoff this morning after a bird strike caused alarming signs of engine trouble, startling the passengers on board.

The incident involved Sun D'Or Flight 5104, which is operated by the Lithuanian company KlasJet on behalf of El Al's subsidiary. The aircraft was accelerating down the runway in Batumi, Georgia, reaching a speed of approximately 100 knots (about 185 km/h), when it struck a bird.

Flashes, Smell, and Aborted Launch

The impact immediately led to visible indications of engine malfunction, including flashes of light emanating from the wing and an accompanying burning smell that permeated the cabin. Passengers, many of whom were Israeli, recorded the event, capturing their nervous reactions and confusion as they tried to understand the source of the flashes.

Following the bird strike, the flight crew immediately initiated the safety procedure to abort the takeoff. The plane came to a stop just short of its rotation speed, and all passengers were deplaned and taken back to the terminal while the aircraft was inspected.

Ground crew and technicians were immediately dispatched to the plane. A thorough examination of the engine was conducted to assess the damage caused by the bird strike. The maintenance crew determined that the strike had not caused any significant damage to the aircraft's crucial systems.

Quick Clearance and Safe Arrival

The engine was cleaned and inspected, and the technician declared the aircraft safe for flight. Passengers were allowed to reboard the plane a short time later. Despite the frightening moments during the aborted takeoff, the flight safely completed its journey to Israel.

The incident underscores the risk of bird strikes during the critical takeoff phase and the importance of quick, decisive action by flight crews to ensure passenger safety.