Alaska Airlines aircraft was struck by an eagle, requiring flight back to the airport

A Horizon Air flight on Christmas Eve from Anchorage to Fairbanks was required to reverse after an eagle struck the aircraft.

On Sunday, a significant airplane crash at a South Korean airport that eliminated 179 individuals and left simply 2 survivors is likewise thought to have actually been brought on by a bird strike– implying a crash in between a bird and an airplane.

Alaska Airlines stated Horizon Air Flight 2041 had actually simply removed at twelve noon regional time on Dec. 24 when “the team reported a bird strike.” Alaska Air Group owns both Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

The flight reversed and returned about 30 minutes later on, according to FlightAware information. That flight usually takes about an hour.

“The captain and very first officer are trained for these circumstances and landed the airplane securely with no problem. No emergency situation was stated,” the airline company stated.

The airplane went back to eviction and guests were switched to another airplane to make it to Fairbanks.

The airline company stated the airplane was gotten rid of from service for evaluation, however has actually given that gone back to service.

Traveler Michelle Tatela was going to from Chicago when the occurrence took place.

“We’re in the air, and after a couple of minutes, we were informed we were reversing around out of an abundance of care, to come back to Anchorage,” she informed NBC affiliate KTUU of Anchorage.

When the aircraft landed back in Anchorage, she stated travelers found out that a bird strike including an eagle lagged the abrupt return.

“The eagle made it through at that time,” Tatela informed the station. “And there were a lot of patrol car around the aircraft. Usually, it would be a scarier scenario, however understanding that it was a bird … and after that they stated the eagle was going to the eagle healthcare facility, and he had a damaged wing.”

The eagle’s wing damage was too excellent for rehab and it was euthanized on arrival, Bird Treatment and Learning Center Executive Director Laura Atwood stated, KTUU reported.

“Everybody was actually thrilled that they stated the eagle had actually been gotten rid of and he was going to the sanctuary,” Tatela stated. “We’re wishing for a better ending for the eagle, however it is a jet, so there’s that.”

When it comes to Sunday’s airplane disaster in South Korea, the pilot of Jeju Air Flight 2216 had actually stated mayday after releasing the bird strike alert, stated Joo Jong-wan, director of the air travel policy department at South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The airplane skidded off the runway while landing at Muan International Airport, about 180 miles south of Seoul, and burst into flames after crashing.

Joo stated the airplane was totally ruined by the occurring fire and a complete examination, that might take 6 months to 3 years, will occur.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading an American group, consisting of Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, that will help South Korea in the examination.