NC-bound jet hits birds, returns to NY airport

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) -- The pilot of a US Airways jet reported a bird strike and an engine problem shortly after takeoff from an upstate New York airport Thursday, forcing the plane to turn back and make an emergency landing, officials said.

The pilot of Flight 1101 declared an emergency two minutes after leaving Rochester's airport for Charlotte, N.C., airline spokeswoman Tina Swail said. The plane hit several birds at about 2,000 feet and had a problem with one of its two engines, Rochester airport spokeswoman Jennifer Hanrahan said.

The Airbus A319, which was carrying 124 passengers and a crew of five, landed safety at 8:30 a.m. and returned to the terminal.

Passengers said they heard a loud noise followed by the smell of burning.

"You could hear everyone gasp. Everyone knew something was wrong," passenger Nicole Dalberth, 20, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

The plane underwent repairs, the flight was canceled and passengers were shifted to other flights.

In January 2009, a Charlotte-bound US Airways flight struck a flock of Canada geese after taking off from New York's LaGuardia Airport. Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who retired earlier this month, landed the Airbus A320 safely on the Hudson River. All 150 passengers survived.

Reports of airplanes hitting birds and other wildlife surged last year, including serious accidents such as birds crashing through cockpits and crippling engines in flight, according to an analysis by The Associated Press of new government data.

The last bird strike at Rochester's airport was three years ago, Hanrahan said. No one was hurt.

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It is not so much that the events increased in number as much as the reporting at least on the Part 121 side of things has gone up in relation to previously. Circa 2007/2008 I can recall many birdstrikes which were not reported and listed in statistics with US at LGA alone to which I bore wittness to. I used to make it a point to keep personal notes when there was a bird strike on a plane in and out of LGA that I got wind of just in case. Most of the time it is not a big deal so many crews wont report it.

It just happens to be US taking off from a NY Airport bound for CLT...again. Kinda funny.