British Airways Plane Lands Unexpectedly in Boston Due to Possible Bird Collision

A British Airways aircraft traveling from Washington, D.C. to London made an unplanned landing in Boston on Saturday evening. This decision followed concerns about a bird striking the aircraft and the detection of smoke inside the cabin, as confirmed by officials.

The 777 model plane, known as British Airways Flight 216, touched down at Boston Logan International Airport around 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the decision came after the crew noticed potential bird impact alongside smoke issues within the aircraft.

Initially, the flight took off from Dulles International Airport, with its original destination being Heathrow Airport.

British Airways commented that the plane's diversion to Boston was a precautionary step due to a suspected bird impact. Following the event, the aircraft is undergoing inspections by technical experts.

The Massachusetts Port Authority also confirmed via email to CBS News that there was indeed a bird strike. They noted that the plane made a safe landing without any incidents.

Details remain scarce, but there have been no injury reports and the specific number of passengers on board has not been disclosed.

Records from FlightAware.com confirm that the flight took its initial departure from Dulles shortly after 5:30 p.m.

The FAA has announced it will conduct an investigation into the matter.

Rising Occurrences of Bird Strikes

The FAA notes an increase in bird strikes across the U.S., attributed to expanding wildlife numbers, increased air traffic, and the shift to quieter aircraft models. In 2023, about 19,400 such incidents were reported at 713 airports nationwide.