Air Zimbabwe forced to abort take off in Malawi after engine sucks in two birds during takeoff

An Air Zimbabwe plane was forced to abort take off at Kamuzu International Airport on 8 May 2008 when two birds, flying about the runway, were reportedly sucked into one of its engines as the plane was about to take off.

The Boeing 767 aircraft was on its scheduled flight from Harare to London via Lilongwe.

The pilot managed to abandon take-off, but eight tyres burst and caught fire when the pilot applied the emergency brakes.

The fire engine at the airport was able to put the fire out without further incident.

No one was injured in the event, but the airline reported some minor damage to the affected engine.