Seagull grounds Boeing

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34048, 12 January 1976, Page 14

Seagull grounds Boeing

t\2 Pre»A AswctattOM r DUNEDIN. January 11. A National Airways Corporation Boeing 737 was grounded al Momona Airport today when a seagull was sucked in to one of the aircraft’s engines. The incident occurred on take-off. There was no emergency alert, and the pilot gained height to land again, i The passengers, bound fori Christchurch on an 8.30 a.m. Eight, were accommodated < on later flights. i Minor damage was caused ' to one of the aircraft’s engine > intakes. The Boeing was i grounded until replacement I parts could be sent from’l Christchurch. and it is' expected to be ready fiorh tomorrow morning’s 8.30 i flight. ; Although Wellington Air-.t port was closed for about i four hours on Saturday mom- ; tng. there was little "disruption to traffic, most of the 224 passengers affected by the cancellation of two Boeing 737 flights being earned on later flights. Some flights were on time, others were delayed for up to an hour, but the duty traffic superintendent for N.A.C. <Mr P. J. Sowdeni said that the closing caused little difficulty in Christchurch. . Traffic was reasonably i heavy yesterday, about 2000'; passengers leaving Christ-;: church Airport.