April 6, 2009

An Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83, registration N868GA performing flight G4-745 from Orlando Sanford,FL to Allentown,PA (USA) with 138 people on board, returned to Sanford Airport after the airplane hit a bald eagle during take off. The crew decided to perform a low approach to Sanford to have the airplane inspected from the ground, then proceeded for a safe landing.

The airplane received damage to its nose and one of the angle of attack sensors. The dead eagle was recovered from Sanford’s runway.

A replacement MD-82 resumed the flight and delivered the passengers to Allentown with a delay of 4:20 hours.