This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Phoenix » Authorities say a Delta flight headed to Utah had to return to Phoenix on Monday after one or more birds hit the aircraft.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the MD-90 took off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport around 8:40 a.m. on its way to Salt Lake City.
Delta spokesman Anthony Black says 127 passengers and five crew members were on the flight.
The plane hit one or more birds "a considerable distance" from the airport, and the pilot declared an emergency.
The plane landed at Sky Harbor safely at 9:01 a.m.
Gregor says bird strikes happen every day and the FAA, airports and pilots are well-trained to deal with them.
There were no reports of any injuries.
