SALT LAKE CITY — A charter flight carrying the Utah Jazz was forced to return to Salt Lake City International Airport on Tuesday shortly after takeoff when the aircraft struck a flock of birds, authorities said.
Airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer said Delta Air Lines Flight 8944 landed safely Tuesday afternoon, KSL reported. The team was heading for Memphis, Tennessee, where the Jazz were scheduled to play the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The team took a flight for Memphis later Tuesday.
Statement from Jazz: “A Utah Jazz team charter flight was forced to safely return to the Salt Lake City airport this afternoon after striking a flock of birds that caused an engine fire and failure. The Jazz departed later in the evening for their game in Memphis on Wednesday.”
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 31, 2021
The Jazz (35-11) currently own the NBA’s best record.
Here’s a look from @KSLChopper5 at fire crews escorting a Delta 757 across @slcairport. We don’t have a ton of info yet, but @flightradar24 shows the flight taking off and immediately returning to land. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/vL48pe4qPw
— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyPhoto) March 30, 2021
The Boeing 757 struck a flock of birds as it was taking off, a Delta spokesperson told KSTU. The left engine was shut down, and the pilot made an emergency landing without incident.
“As the aircraft was taking off it hit a flock of birds. The left engine was shut down, the pilot declared an emergency in return to Salt Lake International Airport,” a Delta spokesperson told KSTU. “Aircraft landed without incident and was able to taxi back. Delta Air Lines is working on finding another aircraft to get their customers to their destinations.”
The damage after a Delta charter carrying the @utahjazz struck a flock of birds mid-air today. The plane turned around and made an emergency landing at @slcairport. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/h7IyL5usmL
— Marc Sternfield (@msternfield) March 30, 2021
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