In this March 24, 2015 file photo, a Delta jet takes off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Wash. The US Department of Transportation on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015 said that the nation’s leading carriers posted an on-time rate of 80.3 percent in August. Delta Air Lines had the best on-time rate at 85.5 percent. AP FILE PHOTO
SEATAC, Washington — A Delta Air Lines flight headed from Seattle to Hong Kong turned back and landed safely after striking a bird Thursday, officials with the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport said.
The airbus A330 struck a bird shortly after takeoff, affecting one of the engines, airport spokesman Kevin Jeffries said. An alert was issued for Flight 281 about 3:30 p.m.
The plane was heavy with fuel and remained flying to burn some of it off in order to make landing easier, Jeffries said. It landed back at the airport without incident about 4:20 p.m.
It was unclear how many people were on board.
A Delta spokesman said the crew of Delta flight 281 made the decision to return to Seattle out of an abundance of caution, KIRO-TV reported (https://goo.gl/KS7il2). Delta technicians will inspect the plane and determine whether it was damaged.
A wildlife biologist will also examine the plane to see if the type of bird can be identified.
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