Eagle Strike Forces Horizon Air Flight to Return to Anchorage

A recent incident involving Horizon Air flight 2041, which took off from Anchorage, Alaska, en route to Fairbanks on December 24, was interrupted when an eagle struck the aircraft shortly after departure. The crew promptly made the decision to return to Anchorage, where they safely landed without any emergencies being declared, according to a spokesperson for the airline. After the landing, the aircraft was replaced, and the passengers continued their journey to Fairbanks without issue.

Passenger Michelle Tatela shared her experience with local media, mentioning that airline officials confirmed an eagle hit the plane, and she expressed relief that the bird survived the impact initially. She noted that police presence surrounded the aircraft as officials attended to the situation. Sadly, the eagle sustained severe injuries, including an open fracture on its wing, and despite being transported to the Alaska Bird Treatment and Learning Center for care, it was euthanized shortly after arrival due to the extent of its injuries.

The event is particularly notable given the recent aviation tragedy in South Korea, where a Jeju Air flight crashed, resulting in the loss of 179 lives shortly after a bird strike warning was issued at the airport.