Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LILONGWE262
2008-05-09 10:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

MALAWI: AIR ZIMBABWE PLANE AIR SAFETY INCIDENT IN LILONGWE

Tags:  EAIR MI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLG #0262 1301043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091043Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5233
RUEBBEA/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000262

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: AIR ZIMBABWE PLANE AIR SAFETY INCIDENT IN LILONGWE


An Air Zimbabwe Aircraft was forced to abort take off at Kamuzu
International Airport on May 8, 2008 when two birds, flying about
the runway, were reportedly sucked into one of its engines as the
plane was about to take off. The Boeing 767 aircraft was on its
scheduled flight from Harare to London via Lilongwe. The pilot
managed to abandon take-off, but eight tires burst and caught fire
when the pilot applied the emergency brakes. The fire engine at the
airport was able to put the fire out without further incident. No
one was injured in the event, but the airline reported some minor
damage to the affected engine.

SULLIVAN