Aircraft circles over the East Rand before emergency landing
Part of the N12 was closed off by police when a Cathay Pacific Airline airplane destined for Hong Kong on March 9, was forced to make an emergency landing just after take-off due to a bird strike.

Media reports say the aircraft had to circle for two hours to burn excess fuel on board.
A bird strike, which is sometimes called birdstrike, avian ingestion (only if in an engine), bird hit, or BASH (for Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard) is a collision between an airborne animal (usually a bird or bat) and a human-made vehicle, especially aircraft.
Bird strikes are a significant threat to flight safety, and have caused a number of accidents with human casualties.
The N12 highway is said to have been closed off to avoid possible debris striking vehicles in the area as the plane came in for landing.
The Advertiser is still awaiting further details from Airports Company South Africa spokesman Unathi Batyashe-Fillis.



