An Air France A330 carrying 196 passengers ran into a herd of cattle at Nigeria’s Port Harcourt International Airport about 4 a.m. last Wednesday. None of those on board were hurt. Seven cows were killed. The A330 was checked and found to be undamaged. Local reports were not clear as to whether the cattle were on a runway or a taxiway, but they did say — and we quote — that security has been “beefed up” to prevent further incidents. Aviation Minister Isa Yuguda told AllAfrica.com that the presence of the cows was a “strange and unusual occurrence.” Any cows found on airport property now will be “shot on sight,” Yuguda added. Two cows already have been shot since the incident. Port Harcourt is at the center of Nigeria’s oil-producing region. The airport was closed for about eight hours during the cleanup.
Here’s The Beef, So Be Careful Taxiing
Key Takeaways:
- An Air France A330 struck a herd of cattle at Port Harcourt International Airport in Nigeria, resulting in seven dead cows but no injuries to 196 passengers or damage to the aircraft.
- Following the incident, airport security was enhanced, and a new policy was implemented to "shoot on sight" any cattle found on airport property, with two cows already killed under this directive.
- The airport, located in Nigeria's oil-producing region, was closed for approximately eight hours for cleanup after the collision.
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