CHICAGO (CBS) — A US military plane was forced to return to Midway International Airport after taking off Monday night following a bird strike.
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, was on the plane, a National Guard representative confirmed late Monday.
As CBS 2’s Kris Habermehl reported, the US Air Force plane is part of a fleet departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to support government missions around the world.
Why the plane was in Chicago was unclear Monday night, but it departed from Midway. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the plan, a military C-37 returned to the airport after the bird strike.
Video showed a spark coming from the plane’s left engine as it collided with a flock of birds in the air shortly after takeoff.
Air crew members got out immediately after the plane landed and parked.
Ramp staff were seen examining the plane at the airport – including the leading edges of the port wing as well as the nose.
No one was hurt.
Cnn
