Airport Security Goat Got Loose on Runway, Forced an A319 to Abort Landing

An Airbus A319 on approach to Kathmandhu had to perform a goat around. Yes, a goat around.

Bhutan Airlines was set to land but had to abort to avoid a goat.

A Bhutan Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration A5-BAC performing flight B3-771 from Paro (Bhutan) to Kathmandu (Nepal) with 68 passengers and 8 crew, was on final approach to Kathmandu’s runway 02 when a goat reached the runway prompting the crew to initiate a “goat around”. The aircraft performed the standard missed approach procedure to climb out of the narrow Kathmandu valley and entered a hold briefly while the goat was being caught and removed from the aerodrome perimeter. The aircraft landed safely on their second approach about 40 minutes after aborting the first approach.


Bhutan Airlines Airbus A319, Copyright: khunaspix / 123RF Stock Photo

Investigations determined that the goat belonged to airport security. Yes, it was an airport security goat.

Many people are familiar with the risks and problems that birds cause for commercial airlines, but goats are a big issue too in certain parts of the world. For instance goat flatulence forced a Singapore Airlines 747 cargo plane to make an emergency landing in Bali because smoke alarms went off.


Singapore Airlines Used to Fly Passsengers – Not Goats – In 747s

Although goats also support aviation too — Chicago O’Hare uses them to clear airfield brush.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. So obviously, goats are evil. But WTF is an “airport security goat” ?!? Don’t leave us hanging…

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