An Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks was forced to return to Ted Stevens International Airport on Christmas Eve after an eagle struck the plane. This incident is now known as the Alaska Eagle plane strike. The pilots quickly decided to turn back as a precautionary measure.
Passenger Michelle Tatela described the experience as a “Christmas Eve story.” She was traveling with her sister and mother, who were visiting from Chicago. They had planned to spend Christmas at Chena Hot Springs.
When the plane returned to Anchorage, passengers were told that a bird strike involving an eagle had triggered the return. The eagle was taken to the Alaska Bird Treatment and Learning Center, where it was euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
The Alaska Airlines spokesperson verified the incident, stating that the eagle struck the plane around noon on December 24. The pilots were trained to handle such situations, and no emergency was declared.
The aircraft was removed from service for inspection and has since been returned to service. The incident caused a delay, and Tatela arrived in Fairbanks about four hours later than expected.
In the aftermath of the Alaska Eagle Plane Strike, Alaska Airlines has reviewed its safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The airline has also praised the pilots for their quick thinking and decisive action.
Additionally, the incident has raised awareness about the importance of bird strikes in aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported that bird strikes cause an average of 14,000 aircraft strikes annually in the United States.
The Alaska Eagle plane strike reminds us of the importance of safety protocols in aviation. It also focuses on the need for continued vigilance in preventing bird strikes.
This news story was originally published by Alaska’s News Source.
