An Eagle Crashed Into the Cockpit... Safe Landing Despite Bloodied Emergency Situation

Andes Condor with Wingspan Over 3m Crashes During Formation Flight in Ecuador
Pilot: "The Key Is Mental Strength and Basics"

A pilot flying in formation in Ecuador became a topic of interest after calmly completing the flight despite a large bird colliding with the plane.

On the 18th (local time), according to Indian Express and others, the accident occurred while the pilot Ariel Valiente was flying over Vinces in the Los Rios region of Ecuador.

A bird that pierced through the cockpit. [Image source=CarlosVerareal Twitter]

In the released video, the bird’s two dangling legs are hanging above the pilot’s head, and the pilot’s face and clothing are covered in blood from the bird. The bird that collided with the plane broke the cockpit window and entered, reportedly dying within minutes after the collision. The video was recorded by the pilot himself, who showed no sign of panic despite the large bird and calmly controlled the plane. The rest of the training flight proceeded as scheduled, and the plane involved in the accident safely completed the flight.

Netizens praised the pilot’s strong concentration. One netizen said, "The important thing is mental strength," adding, "It’s a relief that the plane landed safely." A flight instructor said, "In moments of crisis, pilots act exactly as they were first taught," emphasizing, "That’s why basic training is important."

The species of the bird that collided with the plane is presumed to be an Andean condor, considering its size and the shape of its legs. This bird, mainly inhabiting the Andes Mountains in South America, is classified as a globally rare, CITES Appendix I endangered species. The condor’s wingspan reaches up to 3 meters, and it weighs about 15 kg.

Andean Condor. [Image source=Pixabay]

This is not the first incident of a plane colliding with a bird. In April, a passenger plane carrying 167 people collided with a bird while flying from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), causing a fire in the engine.

The pilot initially planned an emergency return to Kathmandu Airport, and the airport prepared for an emergency landing. However, the fire on the engine was extinguished, and after discussions with local aviation authorities, the pilot decided to continue flying to the destination, Dubai. After a forced flight of over five hours, the passenger plane safely arrived at its destination.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.