A Bengaluru-bound Nepal Airlines aircraft was forced to return to the Tribhuvan International Airport here on Saturday after it reportedly suffered a bird hit. The plane landed safely at the Tribhuvan International Airport, and technicians were examining the aircraft, according to Spokesperson at TIA Teknath Sitaula.

Passengers on flight RA-225 bound for Bengaluru reported hearing a loud noise, the Himalayan Times newspaper quoted TIA sources as saying. The flight took off from TIA at 1:45 pm, before being forced to return to the same airport after the incident.

The aircraft's blades on the right wing were damaged, officials said. Passengers on flight RA-225 reported hearing a loud noise, the Himalayan Times newspaper quoted TIA sources as saying. "The aircraft was diverted to Kathmandu, suspecting a bird strike in the course of take-off," Sitaula said.

The international flight between India and Nepal was being carried out by an Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of carrying 180 passengers. As per the flight tracking website, Nepal Airlines completed its 2 hours and 30 minutes long flight and reached the designated airport. However, the aircraft used for the journey is not known.

-B