A Uganda Airlines flight made an emergency return to O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Friday morning after one of the windscreens in the flight deck suddenly shattered shortly after take-off due to what is believed to have been a bird strike .
The incident prompted an emergency but controlled return to South Africa. The national carrier said the disruption occurred about 45 minutes after takeoff from OR Tambo International Airpor.
“Our flight from Johannesburg (JNB) to Entebbe (EBB) experienced a disruption approximately 45 minutes after take-off due to a bird strike, which resulted in a shattered windscreen,” the airline stated.
The crew decided to abort the journey and return safely to Johannesburg. All passengers and crew were unharmed, the airline confirmed.
The flight was captained by senior pilot Tonny Tebajanga, who quickly assessed the situation and made a quick emergency return to the airport.
T Mr Simon Kaheru, Chairman of the National Strategic Communication Committee (NSCC), who was among those on board the aborted flight.
“Grateful to God and the calm competency and professionalism of Capt. Tonny Tebajanga. “In a freak incident mid-air, one half of the windscreen of the plane shattered. Capt. Tebajanga quietly and steadily handled the situation, even though some of us could tell things were not right, and flew us back to Johannesburg,” he Kaheru narrated .
The flight was captained by senior pilot Tonny Tebajanga. “Kudos too is due to the cabin crew, who were composed as well even though slightly shaken at points, as they followed the behind-the-scenes instructions and protocols. Cat Tabejanga saved MANY lives today.”
Uganda Airlines operates daily flights to Johannesburg. The aircraft involved in the incident is a 9-year-old Airbus A320-200
, which Uganda Airlines leases from Lithuanian airline DAT to supplement its current fleet, which includes four CRJ900LRs and two A330-800Ns.
This is the most serious incident that the airline has recorded since its restoration in 2019.
