A Kenya Airways flight operating from Entebbe to Nairobi was forced to make an emergency return to Uganda shortly after takeoff following a bird strike that damaged parts of the aircraft.
The incident involved flight KQ421, which departed Entebbe International Airport on Saturday morning before experiencing a bird strike at about 10:02 a.m. East Africa Time shortly after takeoff.
In a statement issued by the airline, Kenya Airways said the flight crew immediately activated standard safety procedures and informed passengers before deciding to return to Entebbe as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft landed safely at approximately 10:41 a.m. local time, with all passengers and crew members disembarking safely without injuries.
According to the airline, the bird strike affected the aircraft’s steering components, prompting engineers and airport officials to begin immediate inspections and repair work to restore the aircraft to service.
Kenya Airways said efforts were ongoing to return the aircraft to operations later the same day, adding that the disruption could lead to delays across parts of its network as schedules are adjusted.
The airline apologised to affected passengers and reaffirmed that safety remains its highest operational priority.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our guests and reassure them that their safety and that of our staff remains our number one priority,” the airline stated.
The carrier also confirmed that support teams were in contact with affected passengers to provide assistance and minimise disruptions caused by the incident.
Bird strikes remain one of the most common operational hazards in global aviation, particularly during takeoff and landing phases, where collisions with birds can damage aircraft engines or critical flight systems.
