747 Returns Safely After Striking Birds
A Northwest Airlines Boeing 747 with no passengers aboard suffered major damage to an engine when it struck a flock of birds during takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday afternoon, Federal Aviation Administration and airport officials said.
There were no injuries to any crew members, and the plane returned and landed safely at the airport. The plane, which had been bound for Japan on a ferry flight, took off at 1:35 p.m. and returned at 1:59 p.m.
Airport officials said one runway was closed for about 10 minutes as maintenance workers cleared away dead birds and other debris.
Northwest officials were not available for comment.
The collision with birds caused extensive damage to part of the No. 2 engine, which was being examined by mechanical workers.
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