KLM flight to Nice returns to Schiphol after heron strike during takeoff

A KLM flight en route to Nice, France, returned to Schiphol on Friday afternoon after striking a heron shortly after takeoff, forcing a disruption that delayed passengers before they continued their journey on a different aircraft, AD reports.

The plane departed at about 2:30 p.m. from Schiphol and had been airborne for roughly 15 minutes when the crew discovered it had hit a bird. The aircraft then turned back to the airport in Noord-Holland.

“It could have ended up in the engine, but that is not entirely clear yet,” the KLM spokesperson said. “In any case, we can speak of a technical incident. That is why the aircraft had to return to Schiphol.”

After landing, passengers were transferred to another aircraft and departed again for France at about 6:00 p.m. It is still unknown whether the heron survived the collision.

KLM said bird strikes are a known and recurring issue in the area around Schiphol due to local bird populations. “There are, of course, all kinds of birds around Schiphol. Mainly geese, but starlings are also sometimes struck,” the spokesperson said.