The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has penalized both China Eastern Airlines and two pilots involved a "serious incident".

On May 1, a China Eastern Airbus A319-100, Registration B-6430 performing flight MU5443 from Chengdu to Kangding, was on final approach to Kangding's runway 15 when the aircraft struck approach lights causing parts of the approach lights to penetrate the aircraft's right hand horizontal stabilizer resulting in an additional hydraulic leak from the green hydraulic system.

The aircraft went around and returned to Chengdu for a landing on runway 02R without further incident.

After landing the passener observed yellow pieces stuck in the tail that hadn't been there on departure.

Upon investigations, the aviation watchdog said it will slap China Eastern with a fine and penalize the flight crew behind the incident.

Furthermore, the CAAC has imposed a reduction on China Eastern Sichuan Branch's existing flying time and restricted it from adding any new flights, either scheduled or charter for a period of time.

What's more, the involved pilots have been temporarily banned from flying and faces administrative penalty.

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