An airplane bound for Florida lost its “number one engine” after a bird struck it shortly after takeoff Thursday evening, officials said.
Allegiant Air Flight 1671, an A320 aircraft, departed at 4:50 p.m. from Rockford Airport for Punta Gorda, Fla., but returned about 5:25 p.m. after the pilot reported a loss of one of the engines, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
There were 177 passengers and six crew members on board; no one was injured.
“The aircraft experienced a bird strike to its number one engine in flight, and per safety procedures the captain shut down the engine,” said Allegiant spokeswoman Hilarie Grey in a statement. “The aircraft returned to Rockford, landed safely and was met by airport fire crews. Passengers deplaned at the gate.”
A replacement aircraft was being dispatched to carry the passengers to Punta Gorda on Thursday evening, Grey said.
“We apologize to our passengers for the inconvenience and disruption to their plans,” she said.
More Top Picks Best Eye Masks For Dry Eyes
Passengers were gifted Allegiant meal and travel vouchers. Customers may change their reservation to any other flight in the Allegiant system at no charge.
This was the second bird-involved plane incident in the Chicago area Thursday.
About 10 a.m., a Southwest Airlines plane bound for Las Vegas was forced to return to Midway Airport on Thursday morning after a bird was pulled into one of its engines.
The FAA is investigating.