Bird strike sends Sun Country charter flight back to Fargo

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – There was a several-hour delay and later a cancellation Thursday for passengers on a Sun Country Airlines charter flight from Fargo to Laughlin, Nevada after a bird strike.

Darren Anderson, Hector International Airport Assistant Director, estimated about a half dozen gulls struck the plane as it departed shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Rory Jorgenson of West Fargo was on the plane. He said they took off and everything was normal and then he thought it was a “little weird” when he heard some bumps. About two minutes later, the pilot announced said they had to return to the airport because there was a bird strike. Jorgenson said everyone was calm and it was a normal landing.

Passengers later told KFGO News that the flight was canceled. Anderson confirmed the cancellation saying Sun Country was unable to find a “rescue crew” for the aircraft.

Anderson called it a “precautionary landing” as mechanics evaluated the plane for any damage. The birds hit the nose of the aircraft and chipped off some paint.