Recent Aviation Incident in Ponta Delgada
Aviation sources informed the Lusa news agency that a recent incident did not cause significant damage to the affected engine, and the aircraft has already returned to Lisbon. This marks the second such accident at João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada, located on São Miguel Island, within less than a month.
Details of the Previous Incident
On January 6, an Airbus A320 operated by SATA collided with a “significant flock” of seagulls during takeoff in Ponta Delgada. This incident forced the aircraft to declare an emergency and return to the airport, as it reported issues with both engines. According to multiple aviation sources, the A320, bound for Lisbon, took off at 1:40 PM from João Paulo II Airport but immediately after takeoff declared an emergency due to the impact with the flock of seagulls. The aircraft safely landed 18 minutes later, reporting problems with both engines.
Operational Challenges Following the Incident
The SATA aircraft was not operational again until January 15. During this time, aviation experts raised concerns about air traffic controllers’ ability to fully see the runway at Ponta Delgada. A fire station was built in front of the control tower, obstructing the view. As a result, air traffic controllers can only see the beginning and end of the runway, while the rest is monitored via a CCTV system. This limitation has been noted to significantly decrease the safety of flight operations, as controllers cannot adequately observe the potential presence of birds.
Safety Measures and Oversight
In response to inquiries about this situation, the Aircraft Accident Prevention and Investigation Office emphasized that the process of detecting, controlling, and mitigating wildlife risks at airports relies on various information sources, where air traffic control plays a crucial role. This highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures in the aviation sector and ensure a secure operational environment.
