PNG Air ATR 72-600 Aborts Takeoff After Goroka Bird Swarm

A PNG Air ATR 72-600 safely aborted its takeoff at Goroka Airport (GKA) on Monday morning after a large flock of birds crossed the runway. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:31 a.m. local time, forced the flight crew to initiate an immediate Rejected Takeoff (RTO) before the aircraft became airborne. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew, and the aircraft remained secured on the runway pending maintenance recovery.

Operational Context and Safety Maneuver

According to airline officials, the aircraft was traveling at approximately 70 knots (130 km/h) when the Pilot in Command (PIC) applied maximum braking to avoid the bird swarm. While the maneuver successfully prevented the ingestion of birds into the engines—a scenario that can cause severe damage or mid-flight shutdowns—the intense friction generated by the emergency stop resulted in two deflated tires on the aircraft's left main landing gear. The deflation of these tires is a designed safety mechanism to prevent wheel well fires during high-energy braking, consistent with Rejected Takeoff (RTO) Certification Standards (FAR/CS 25.109).

In a statement released Monday afternoon, PNG Air defended the pilot's actions, noting that the maneuver was executed in strict compliance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASA) procedures. The airline attributed the successful outcome to their recurrent crew training programs, emphasizing that the PIC’s decision reflected the company's commitment to operational discipline and passenger safety.

Industry Impact and Wildlife Hazards

The incident highlights a growing challenge for regional aviation operators. According to the ICAO Bird Strike Information System (IBIS), there are approximately 71,500 reported wildlife strikes annually worldwide, representing a 36% increase over previous reporting periods. While airports employ various deterrents, wildlife management remains a difficult variable to control. Airport authorities often face the challenge of predicting sudden migratory swarms, even when utilizing acoustic deterrents or netting. Environmental advocates have noted that airport operations near natural habitats can increase the frequency of human-wildlife conflicts, necessitating robust mitigation strategies.

Technical Analysis

The ATR 72-600 is widely utilized in challenging environments like Papua New Guinea due to its short-field performance and rugged landing gear. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 23,000 kg and typically accommodates 70 to 78 passengers. The decision to reject the takeoff at 70 knots was well below the aircraft's typical V1 speed, making it the safest operational choice to avoid catastrophic engine damage. Historically, similar incidents, such as the 2008 Ryanair Flight 4102 incident in Rome, demonstrate the severe damage bird swarms can inflict on aircraft systems, including dual engine failure and landing gear collapse. The PNG Air pilot's decisive action successfully avoided such a high-risk outcome.

What Comes Next

PNG Air maintenance teams were deployed to Goroka on Monday afternoon to begin recovery operations. The airline aims to replace the damaged tires and return the aircraft to service by mid-morning on Tuesday, May 26. Under PNG Civil Aviation Rule Part 12 (12.55), the PIC is required to file a formal incident report with the CASA within 72 hours. Passengers traveling through Goroka experienced flight disruptions throughout the day, and the airline has apologized for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected operational pause.

Why This Matters

This incident underscores the critical importance of pilot training and adherence to safety protocols during the high-risk takeoff phase. As wildlife strikes continue to rise globally, the ability of flight crews to execute precise rejected takeoffs remains a fundamental safeguard for regional aviation. For operators, the event serves as a reminder of the necessity for ongoing maintenance readiness and the potential for wildlife hazards to impact fleet availability at regional airports.