An Alaska Airlines flight to Orlando experienced an unexpected return to Portland on Sunday morning after a bird collided with the aircraft shortly after takeoff. The flight, confirmed to be Alaska Airlines by OregonLive, made a safe emergency landing at approximately 8:10 A.M. with no injuries reported among the passengers or crew.
Following the incident, the Port of Portland indicated that the emergency landing was a precautionary measure. The passengers affected by the disruption were rebooked on alternate flights to their Florida destination, and the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft involved was temporarily removed from service for a thorough inspection. According to a statement obtained from KGW, the aircraft has been sidelined until it is cleared for travel once more.
This type of incident can lead to considerable structural damage depending on where the bird strike impacts the plane. In this particular case, the aircraft involved was fairly new, having been delivered to Alaska Airlines in May 2023, as Simple Flying reported. The airline’s quick action ensured the safety of everyone onboard and facilitated alternate travel arrangements for the passengers facing delays…