Nauru Airlines flight QR7332 from Brisbane, Australia to Townsville, Australia, made several circles over the Moreton Bay before landing back in the departure airport on May 21, 2020. 

Nauru Airlines took off from Brisbane Airport (BNE) for a short flight to Townsville (TSV), which usually takes just over an hour and a half. The airline’s Boeing 737 indeed spent 1.5 hours in the air, but instead of heading North as per usual, it flew several circles over Brisbane and Moreton Bay burning fuel, before a safe landing back in BNE. 

As the aircraft was taking off, the pilots reported encountering a bird flock, Aviation Herald reports. Around 10 dead birds were found on the runway, the publication adds. 

The aircraft involved in the incident was Nauru Airlines’ Boeing 737-3H6(SF), registration number VH-VLI. The 27 years-old freighter is the only cargo plane in the airline’s fleet of five Boeing 737s. 

On the main photo: Nauru Airlines passenger service Boeing 737-300.