NWA plane hits flock of pigeons but lands safely

Associated Press

Last update: October 31, 2009 - 9:17 PM

A Northwest 757 jet hit a flock of pigeons as it took off from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport for Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon, but returned safely.

The plane ran into about 16 pigeons about 2:40 p.m., said Melissa Scovronski, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Airports Commission. She couldn't confirm reports that some of the birds got stuck in an engine. She said the plane took off over Richfield from the south side of the Lindbergh Terminal.

No one was hurt on Northwest Flight 195, which carried 202 passengers and seven crew members, said Northwest spokeswoman Ashley Black. She said passengers were soon put on another plane to Las Vegas.

Mechanics were inspecting the aircraft. The FAA said it will investigate the incident.

JIM ADAMS AND WIRE REPORTS

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