Bird strike delays flight departure from Cayman Brac

At 5:49pm this evening, Sunday September 12, 2021, Cayman Airways flight KX2406 experienced a bird strike to its windshield immediately upon departure from the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA) on Cayman Brac.

The Captain did not declare an emergency as the windscreen had no visible damage and the aircraft was functioning normally, but out of an abundance of caution, the Captain returned the aircraft to CKIA, landing safely at 6:06pm, in order to have the aircraft thoroughly checked before continuing the flight.

All 122 passengers aboard the B737-8 aircraft remained on board while the airline’s Maintenance and Engineering Department conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft for primary, secondary, and hidden damage.

The engineers concluded that the aircraft was free of damage, and the flight departed at 7:36pm for an 8:05pm arrival on Grand Cayman.