Southwest Flight From MCI Lands Within a Few Minutes of Departure After Possibly Hitting Bird

July 18, 2023

A Southwest flight traveling out of Kansas City International Airport was forced to turn around shortly after take-off, making an unplanned landing after possibly striking a bird Monday afternoon, airline officials said.

Shortly after departing from Kansas City, the plane traveling to Chicago may have struck a bird, according to the airline. The flight returned to MCI.

The aircraft was taken out of service and will undergo a maintenance review.

Crews are moving customers and bags to a new aircraft that will land in Chicago about four hours behind schedule, Southwest airlines officials said.

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