July 29, 2009

An American Airlines plane made an emergency landing in St. Louis after its right engine was struck by a bird.

Flight 449, carrying 140 passengers and 5 crew members, was heading to Los Angeles when the bird strike occurred shortly after taking off from St. Louis’ Lambert Airport around 2 p.m.

American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said the pilot of the MD-80 never lost power on the struck engine and was able to make a normal landing. The passengers were put on another plane and the damaged aircraft was taken out of service, he added.