Ecuadorian pilot suffers bird hit, shoots a viral video, then lands the flight

The composure and skill displayed by Ecuadorian aviator Squadron Leader Ariel Valiente have captivated the online community. A video of him calmly and safely landing a plane despite a large bird smashing through the windshield has gone viral.

What is the buzz?

Valiente gained widespread attention after sharing footage of his terrifying experience while flying over Vinces, Los Ríos Province. The video depicts the remnants of the bird and its sizable talons hanging above the pilot's head, with blood stains on his face and uniform. However, Valiente remains unfazed, steering the plane with unwavering determination.

Thanks to Valiente's remarkable composure, the flight landed safely despite the accident. The species of the bird is yet to be identified, but there are speculations that it may be an Andean Condor, known for its impressive wingspan of up to 10 feet.

A persistent issue

Bird collisions have long been a recurring problem in aviation, often leading to flight accidents. In April, an incident occurred on Avianca airline's AV9377 flight from San Andrés Island to Bogotá, Colombia, where a bird entered one of the engines, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.