Nov. 15, 2009
(AP) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Airport officials in Kansas City say a passenger jet struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff and returned to land safely.Jet Hits Birds, Forced To Turn Back To Missouri
Jet Leaving Kansas City Strikes Birds And Loses 1 Engine, Returns To Land Safely
The Frontier Airlines flight took off about 7 p.m. Saturday night bound for Denver when it hit the birds at an altitude of about 4,000 feet.
Kansas City International Airport spokeswoman Kathleen Hefner told KSHB-TV that both engines were hit, but only one lost power.
Passengers said they saw flames shooting from one of the engines and there was a terrible smell in the cabin.
Bird-aircraft collisions are not unusual, but they are being more scrutinized since US Airways Flight 1549 safely ditched in the Hudson River in January after striking a flock of geese after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
More From AP - US
- US Military Deaths In Iraq War At 4,365
- US Military Deaths In Afghanistan Region At 842
- Schwarzenegger Caught Parking Porsche In Red Zone
- Not Guilty Plea In Alleged Ariz. Honor Killing
- Atty: Fort Hood Suspect May Use Insanity Defense
- Calif. Man Jailed After Housing Homeless On Ranch
- Police: Jealous Wash. Woman Tries To Kill Again
