A Laudamotion Airbus A320-200, registration OE-LOC performing flight OE-3160 from Dusseldorf (Germany) to Faro (Portugal), departed Dusseldorf’s runway 23L and was climbing through FL210 when the crew stopped the climb due to left-hand engine (CFM56) vibrations, the crew suspected as the result of a bird strike on departure. The aircraft descended to FL130 to burn off fuel and landed safely back on Dusseldorf’s runway 23R about one hour after departure.
A passenger reported there were severe vibrations after departure. About 30 minutes into the flight the captain announced they suspected a bird strike, they were returning to Dusseldorf and were burning fuel.
A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration OE-LOE reached Faro with a delay of 2.5 hours.
