July 29, 2009

An American Airlines MD-80 made an emergency landing at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport today after the plane struck a bird on takeoff.

None of the 140 passengers or five crew members was hurt when American Flight 449 landed at 2:15 p.m. The plane was bound for Los Angeles. Passengers were being placed on another flight, said airline spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan.

Initial reports are that the jet ingested a bird in its right engine during takeoff. The captain declared an emergency and brought the plane back to the airport, Fagan said. Lambert fire personnel were on the scene when the plane landed.

The MD-80 was able to return to the gate on its own power.