A Delta plane en route from New York struck a bird and was forced to make an emergency landing, according to reports.
Delta flight 1063 took off from JFK airport not long after 3 p.m., and struck the bird shortly thereafter. It was forced to return to JFK and landed four minutes later, reports Business Insider.
According to ABC New York, the Boeing 757 declared an engine-related emergency shortly after takeoff at 3:10 p.m. and the cabin filled with smoke. (Business Insider reports the flight was supposed to depart at 3:19 p.m.)
Ali Velshi, CNN Chief Business Correspondent, happened to be on the flight and took to Twitter to describe the situation:
Very big kudos to captin and crew of @Delta 1063 JKF-LAX for a quick turnaround & landing after bird strike & cabin filling with smoke
— Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) April 19, 2012
Great welcome back to JFK (by fire, police & medics) as our @Delta 1063 flight lands moments after birdstrike/cabin smoke #avgeeks
— Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) April 19, 2012
The plane's 172 passengers and 7 crew members were unharmed. The plane is under inspection and Delta is working on getting the passengers to Los Angeles.
Plane makes emergency landing after apparent bird strike
Bird Lady, Scarecrow 5 and Merlin do their part in keeping passengers safe at RIX
Posted: 04/19/2012 4:53 pm Updated: 04/19/2012 5:22 pm