A KLM Boeing 777-300, registration PH-BVK, was accelerating for departure from Accra’s runway 03 at about 22:39L when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 145 knots over ground) due to a bird strike (22:39Z).
The plane slowed safely, vacated the runway, and became disabled on the parallel taxiway due to a number of tyres deflating.
After becoming disabled on the taxiway, the plane was towed to the apron for roughly 30 minutes.
According to the airport, the aircraft was unable to take off from runway 21 due to a bird strike near the windshield.
The airplane was then towed to the apron. Passengers disembarked and were transported to various hotels.
ADS-B data sent by the airplane’s transponder show that the aircraft was accelerating for takeoff from runway 03 and rejected takeoff at approximately 145 knots overground.
Passengers said that one of the engines (GE90) ingested a bird, causing the takeoff to be aborted. During the taxi back to the apron, the right main tyres deflated.
The AIB in Ghana has launched an investigation into the incident.
The aircraft remained on the ground in Accra for around 27:15 hours before departing as flight KL-590D and arriving in Amsterdam with a delay of 27.5 hours, approximately 2 hours after the scheduled flight KL-590 of September 4th, 2021. (performed by PH-BVA).
