Kenya Airways plane returns to Entebbe after Bird Strike

In a statement issued on May 24, 2026, Kenya Airways confirmed that flight KQ421, which had departed from Entebbe International Airport for Nairobi, experienced a bird strike at approximately 10:02 a.m. East African Time moments after take-off.

The airline said the crew immediately activated standard safety procedures and informed passengers before making the decision to turn the aircraft back to Entebbe International Airport as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft landed safely at 10:41 a.m., with all passengers and crew safely disembarking without injuries.

According to the airline, the bird strike damaged the aircraft’s steering components, prompting engineers and airport officials to begin urgent repair works aimed at returning the plane to service.

Kenya Airways estimated that the aircraft would likely resume operations by 8:00 p.m. later in the day.

The national carrier also warned that some scheduled flights could experience delays as the airline works to recover its network following the disruption.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our guests and reassure them that their safety and that of our staff remains our number one priority,” the airline said in the statement.

Kenya Airways added that its teams were in contact with affected passengers and were providing the necessary assistance and support following the incident.

Bird strikes are a common aviation hazard globally and can sometimes cause damage to aircraft engines or critical systems, particularly during take-off and landing phases.