The Brief
- An Allegiant Air flight was forced to turn around and return to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport on Saturday afternoon after striking a bird shortly after takeoff.
- The aircraft landed normally and taxied to the gate under its own power, where all passengers and crew safely deplaned.
- Allegiant dispatched a replacement aircraft to get travelers moving within the hour while the original plane was taken out of service for a maintenance inspection.
MESA, Ariz. – A Wichita-bound Allegiant Air flight was forced to make an emergency return to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport on Saturday afternoon after striking a bird shortly after takeoff.
What we know:
Allegiant Flight 694 departed the Mesa airport at about 3:30 p.m. on July 18, bound for Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport but was forced to quickly turn back after smacking into an avian interloper. Airline officials told FOX 10 the plane landed normally and taxied to the gate under its own power, allowing passengers to deplane safely.…