Horizon Air Flight Returns After Eagle Strikes Plane Mid-Flight
A Horizon Air flight had to return to Anchorage after an eagle hit the plane shortly after takeoff, but all passengers continued safely to their destination.
Anchorage, Alaska, Horizon Air, Eagle Strike, Flight Incident
Anchorage: So, there was this Horizon Air flight that had to turn back after an eagle hit it. Can you believe that? It happened right after takeoff on December 24.
The flight was headed to Fairbanks when the bird struck. The crew quickly decided to return to Anchorage, and they landed without any drama. Pretty impressive, right?
Once they were back, the airline switched out the plane, and everyone got on a new one to continue their journey. No one was hurt, and the crew handled it like pros.
A passenger, Michelle Tatela, shared that the eagle was taken to a bird hospital after the incident. Sadly, it had a broken wing and didn’t make it. But she said it was a wild story to tell.
She joked about how only in Alaska would you have to wait for a new plane because of an eagle flying with you. It’s definitely a Christmas Eve story to remember!
This incident comes on the heels of a tragic plane crash in South Korea, which makes you think about how important safety is in aviation.