Bird Strike! China Southern Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Return! Passenger: "My Racing Heart Finally Calmed Down the Moment We Landed"

What safety procedures did the crew follow after encountering a bird strike?

Cover News Reporter Yang Jinzhu, Intern Gong Shanmei, compiled from Shangguan News and @China Southern Airlines

On March 21st at noon, China Southern Airlines flight CZ3554 (Shanghai Hongqiao—Shenzhen) made an emergency return shortly after takeoff, drawing attention. The aircraft model was Airbus A330-300 (registration B-1062).

According to flight data, at 12:43 PM, the A330-300 with tail number B-1062 took off from Hongqiao Airport. After flying for 23 minutes, it returned to Hongqiao Airport and landed on runway 18L at 1:06 PM, which was then closed.

Passenger “Sero Ultraman” was on the plane. He recalled that right after takeoff, there was continuous turbulence, “not particularly severe, but very long-lasting, with several noticeable drops,” and the crew did not broadcast any alerts. He could only silently comfort himself and watch movies to distract himself.

Less than half an hour later, the crew announced via broadcast that the flight was returning due to mechanical issues. Through the window, he saw the plane had returned to Shanghai airspace at an altitude of about 800 meters. During the descent, turbulence continued, and “everyone was nervous, and we could only silently pray in our hearts.”

More than ten minutes later, the plane safely landed at Hongqiao Airport. “At that moment, I finally felt relieved.” Passengers were then transported off the runway by shuttle buses. “I am really grateful to the captain for bringing us back safely,” Sero Ultraman said. The airline has arranged for the flight to take off again.

According to photos taken by netizen “Flashing Light,” the entire radome had detached, with some debris still hanging on the nose of the aircraft, lifted by high-speed airflow.

In photos shared by netizen “120°E, 28°N,” on the tarmac, China Southern maintenance personnel wrapped the exposed radar antenna with plastic cloth.

Another passenger on the flight reported that after returning to Hongqiao, the passenger stairs were parked at Gate 4 at the rear of the aircraft, and passengers were gradually disembarked.

Regarding this incident, China Southern Airlines customer service stated that the return was caused by a mechanical failure resulting from a bird strike.

The airline issued a statement saying that on March 21st at noon, flight CZ3554 (Shanghai Hongqiao—Shenzhen) encountered a bird strike after takeoff. The crew followed procedures strictly, and the flight safely returned to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The airline immediately activated contingency plans, provided passenger services, and quickly dispatched another aircraft to operate the flight.

Industry experts say that returning due to mechanical anomalies or external factors after takeoff is a standard safety procedure. The crew assesses the risks and chooses the safest option to ensure passenger safety.

Editor: Li Yang

Chief Editor: Wu Yue

Review: Xiang Lei