TP602 OPO-BRU on 31 May 2013: bird strike

[chrisflyer]

All,

I flew OPO to BRU today on TAP Portugal flight TP602, a Fokker 100 CS-TPF, operated by PGA Portugalia Airlines.

During take-off roll we experienced a bird strike and take-off was thereupon aborted. We returned to the apron and were told that the collision with the unfortunate bird had damaged the left pitot tube. A PGA maintenance crew arrived, and passengers were bussed to the terminal. The pitot tube was repaired, and as far as I could make out, the captain's primary flight display was also replaced.

We boarded again, and left OPO for an uneventful flight, arriving to BRU with a delay of about 2 hours. The situation was managed well by the crew deciding to abort upon what must have been an unreliable speed indication. Information was provided in a transparent manner, and both the cabin crew and ground staff took good care of the passengers.

Happy landings,
Chris