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Plane carrying comedian Sinbad diverts after plane hits birds

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A jetliner carrying the comedian Sinbad had to divert its flight Saturday after it struck several birds during takeoff in Jacksonville.

In a tweet from his official account, David Adkins, better known as Sinbad, said the Delta plane hit a dozen birds and had to return to the airport.

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The comedian had performed a show Friday night at the Florida Theater and was traveling to Mississippi before the bird strike caused the forced landing.

The comedian said the birds that hit the plane were turkey vultures.

The Jacksonville International Airport said it happened at about 3,000 feet in the air "a little ways out" from the airport. The plane returned to the airport, an airport spokesperson said.

The airport said there may have been some damage to the plane's fan blades but its engine never lost power. The airport could not confirm whether the plane was taken out of service.

Sinbad said a storm in Jacksonville further delayed the flight's takeoff time when he tried to board a new flight.

No one was hurt during the incident.

Sinbad is known for his role in the Bill Cosby-spinoff in "A Different World" and starring in "The Sinbad Show."