Horizon Air Flight Makes Emergency Return To Alaska Airport After Hitting Eagle
According to Alaska Airlines, which owns Horizon Air, Flight 2041 departed from Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport around noon on December 24, Mail Online reports.
AHorizon Air flight was forced to make an emergency return to an Alaska airport on Christmas Eve after the plane struck an eagle—just days after a tragic bird strike in South Korea led to one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, killing 179 people.
According to Alaska Airlines, which owns Horizon Air, Flight 2041 departed from Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport around noon on December 24, Mail Online reports.
Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported a bird strike. The flight, bound for Fairbanks, turned back and safely landed at the airport about 30 minutes later.
“The captain and first officer are trained for these situations and landed the aircraft safely without any issue,” an airline spokesperson said, adding that no emergency was declared.
Passengers were transferred to another aircraft to continue their journey while the affected plane was inspected. It has since returned to service, according to NBC News.
Passenger Michelle Tatela described the incident to KTUU, calling it a quintessential “only in Alaska” story.
“We were only in the air for a few minutes when the captain announced we were turning back out of an abundance of caution,” she said.
Upon landing, passengers learned the plane had struck an eagle—ironically, the same day President Joe Biden signed legislation officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird.
Tatela said the eagle was alive initially and transported to a sanctuary, though it ultimately had to be euthanized due to a severe wing fracture, according to Laura Atwood, Executive Director of the Bird Treatment and Learning Center.
Tatela and her family arrived in Fairbanks roughly four hours later than scheduled but were relieved the situation ended without serious incident.
This outcome stood in stark contrast to the Jeju Air tragedy in South Korea earlier that week.
A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 collided with a bird before skidding off the runway in Muan, crashing into a concrete barrier, and bursting into flames. Of the 181 people on board, only two survived.
Experts believe the bird strike caused hydraulic failure, preventing the deployment of the plane’s landing gear and flaps.
Video footage shows the aircraft circling before attempting a high-speed landing with limited braking systems.
Leading aviation expert David Learmount told Sky News the presence of a concrete wall at the runway’s end was a critical factor in the disaster.
“Had the wall not been there, the plane would have likely hit a fence and slid into a nearby field, saving lives,” he said, calling the wall’s placement “verging on criminal.”
