A Lufthansa flight from Munich to Cluj-Napoca was forced to divert on January 4, 2026, after a bird strike damaged one of its engines during a go-around on final approach.
Flight LH1668, operated by an Airbus A320-200 registered D-AIZP, was on final approach to runway 25 at Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport when the flight crew initiated a go-around after spotting a flock of birds ahead of the aircraft. During the maneuver, the aircraft’s right-hand engine, a CFM56, ingested several birds.
Following the bird ingestion, the crew assessed the situation and elected to divert to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport as a precaution. The aircraft climbed to flight level 240 and proceeded to Hungary, landing safely on runway 31R in Budapest approximately one hour after the go-around.
Emergency services were on standby and inspected the aircraft after landing before it taxied to the apron. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Subsequent inspections confirmed that the right-hand engine sustained damage as a result of the bird strike. Lufthansa stated that the crew followed standard safety procedures and that the diversion was carried out to ensure the continued safety of the flight.
