Mystery Object Strikes Plane Mid-Flight, Leaves Crack in Fuselage

An Air France flight operated by regional airline HOP! collided with an unknown object mid-air on Sunday, March 25, somewhere between Paris (ORY) and Aurillac (AUR).

Travelers on board flight A5-235 reported hearing a loud noise in the main cabin. The pilot informed passengers on the 265-mile domestic flight that the aircraft had most likely been struck by either a goose or a block of ice, according to flight passenger Marie Dulac. The plane landed without incident at Aurillac Airport, but "a large hole was discovered in the fuselage just below the left main wing."

The airline reported that part of the aircraft might have detached during the deployment of the landing gear.

The ATR 43 aircraft has been removed from service and grounded since the landing on Sunday.