An Air Arabia Maroc Airbus A320-200 sustained damage after a bird strike whilst on approach to Tangier on 19 September 2024.
Air Arabia Maroc flight 3O102 from London Gatwick airport was conducting an approach to runway 28 Tangier-Ibn Battouta Intl. Airport (TNG).
Air Arabia Maroc 3O102 London-Tangier
During the approach phase the aircraft struck a bird. Despite the impact, the flight was able to continue with the approach and landed without further incident on runway 28.
According to the online source Aviation Herald, the aircraft reportedly sustained structural damage as a result of the birdstrike. According to information received repairs were required to the aircraft’s right-hand outer flap assembly.
As a result of the damage, the aircraft was unable to continue with onwards scheduled flights from Tangier. The aircraft was then returned to operational service approximately 31 hours after the landing.
Flight data shows that flight 3O102 made its departure from London Gatwick airport (LGW) at 2016 local time on 19 September.
The flight had proceeded normally, climbing to flight level FL370 (37,000 feet) for the southerly service to Tangier, Morocco. Letdown and approach procedures were similarly conducted normally, and the birdstrike incident was reported at some point during the approach.
The aircraft conducting the 3O102 service from London was an Airbus A320-200, registered CN-NMJ. This is an 8.8 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the national carrier Air Arabia Maroc. It has been in operational service with the airline since March 2016.
Prior to its present service, it was operated by Avianca Brazil from its initial delivery from the factory in December 2015.
Previous Bird Strike Incident
An Air Arabia Maroc A320-200 operating from Tangier to Barcelona diverted to Casablanca after suffering a bird strike after departure on 16 August. In that incident, the aircraft experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Tangier.
The flight crew decided to divert the aircraft to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) as a precautionary measure. The flight landed safely, and a replacement aircraft was arranged to complete the journey to Barcelona.
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