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United Flight Returns After Bird Strike Near Miss
12 Mar
Summary
- A United flight returned to Newark after a bird strike.
- 138 passengers and six crew members were on board the aircraft.
- The FAA is investigating the bird strike incident.
United Airlines Flight 1207 experienced a bird strike on Monday morning, March 9, shortly after departing Newark Liberty International Airport. The flight, bound for Jacksonville, Florida, was carrying 138 passengers and six crew members. The pilots reported a cracked windshield and a potential pressurization issue following the incident, prompting an immediate return to Newark.
Upon arrival, customers deplaned normally at the gate, and the airline arranged for a new aircraft to complete the journey. Federal aviation officials confirmed they will investigate the event. While initial reports suggested windshield damage, a subsequent inspection by United Airlines found no such damage.
This incident is part of a broader trend of wildlife strikes involving civil aircraft in the U.S. Between 1990 and 2023, approximately 291,600 wildlife strikes were reported. In 2023 alone, nearly 19,400 strikes occurred at over 700 U.S. airports, with the FAA attributing the rise to increased wildlife populations, air traffic, and improved reporting mechanisms.
