Bird strike on Continental jet forces landing

NEW YORK - A bird strike forced a Continental jet bound for Newark Liberty International Airport to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Panama City, Panama on Friday.

According to United Airlines officials, a Boeing 737-900 with 158 passengers on board took off from Tocumen Airport at 10:05 a.m., but quickly ran into a trouble when a bird strike caused the left engine to catch fire.

Officials said the pilot managed to shut down the engine and return the aircraft safely to the airport.

United said none of the passengers or crew on Flight 1022 was injured.