A LATAM Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Brazil after a bird strike left a gaping hole in the aircraft’s nose—raising eyebrows over the sheer extent of the damage. The impact was so severe that many are questioning how a single bird could cause such destruction, forcing the pilots to turn back just moments after takeoff.

Shocking photos of the Airbus A321 have surfaced, showing a deep dent and a massive puncture at the front of the aircraft, exposing part of its interior. Officials confirmed that a single bird was responsible for the damage.

The flight had just taken off from Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro en route to São Paulo on Thursday morning when the impact occurred. Pilots quickly decided to turn back and safely land at the departure airport.

Fortunately, all passengers on the 200-seat jet were unharmed during the unexpected ordeal. Airport officials ensured they were promptly rebooked on alternative flights to reach their destinations.

A Growing Trend of Air Travel Incidents

Although this particular incident took place in Brazil, it adds to a growing list of recent aviation scares. Just this week, a Delta flight from Minneapolis to Toronto experienced a terrifying crash landing. The plane flipped upside down upon impact, sending smoke billowing from the fuselage as flames scorched the exterior. Twenty-one passengers sustained injuries.

In response, Delta has reportedly offered $30,000 in compensation to each passenger, though many believe the amount doesn’t fully account for the traumatic experience.

Adding to concerns over air travel safety, an American Airlines tragedy late last month left 67 people dead when a helicopter collided with the side of a jet.

While the LATAM Airlines flight in Brazil managed to land safely, the bird involved was likely not as fortunate.

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