Jet2 flight horror as Glasgow-bound plane hit by bird and forced into emergency landing

A Jet2 plane heading to Glasgow was forced into an emergency landing in Tenerife after it was hit by a bird on take-off and had it had to return to the Spanish island

A Jet2 plane heading to Glasgow was forced to make an emergency landing after it was hit by a bird.

The flight from Tenerife South Airport had to return to the Spanish island on Wednesday evening following a "minor fault indication" that resulted from the strike.

The incident took place shortly after take-off and the crew returned the plane safely back to the departure airport before passengers were later able to head back to Glasgow using a replacement plane.

Having been alerted to the bird strike, crew had to first circle the Jet2 flight LS129 in the air to reduce the aircraft’s weight before landing. After taking off at around 6pm, FlightRader24 showed the Boeing 737 aircraft manoeuvring on Wednesday evening before descending.

Spanish air traffic control stated on X: “The crew on board the flight leaving Tenerife South told us that they had been hit by a bird on take off and as a precaution were asking to return although first they needed to wait to lose wait and prepare to come in. When they landed without incident, runway timings had to be revised leading to some waiting."

The passengers who were expected home for 7.30pm were delayed for four hours before they were able to get back on their route home with a different plane, it is reported.

A Jet2 spokesperson told the Mirror: “Flight LS126 followed standard procedure and returned to Tenerife South Airport shortly after take-off on Wednesday January 3, after the crew reported a minor fault indication. The aircraft landed safely, and customers were transferred onto a replacement aircraft and flown back to Glasgow Airport.” The Mirror has contacted Jet2 for comment.

Meanwhile a passenger has been found dead in a Jet2 plane toilet forcing the flight to divert to Ireland. The man was travelling from Tenerife to Manchester on Tuesday when fellow travellers noticed the cubicle had been locked for some time. After alerting staff, the crew made the devastating discovery and the plane landed instead in Cork.

A spokesperson for the airline told the Mirror:"Flight LS918 from Tenerife to Manchester diverted to Cork Airport on Tuesday January 2, due to a customer requiring medical attention. Regrettably, we can confirm that the customer sadly passed away, despite the best efforts of our highly-trained crew who intervened as soon as they became aware. This was an extremely difficult situation for our crew and we would like to thank them for their efforts. Our thoughts are with the customer's family and friends at this very difficult time."