Bird Strike Forces Hawaii-Bound Plane Back To Sacramento Airport
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A Hawaii-bound Alaska Airlines flight safely returned to Sacramento International Airport after a bird struck one of its engines.
Flight 869 had just taken off for Maui a little after 10 a.m. Saturday and was climbing when a bird went into the left engine.
Alaska Airlines spokesman Paul McElroy said the pilot turned around as a precaution.
None of the 163 passengers and crew on board was injured. McElroy said crews were inspecting the airplane and would make any necessary repairs. The passengers will be put on another plane and arrive in Maui around 4:20 p.m. Hawaii time, a little less than four hours after they were scheduled to arrive.
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