A charter plane carrying the NBA team of Australian star Joe Ingles has been forced to make an emergency landing shortly after departing Salt Lake City International Airport, with the aircraft striking a flock of birds, causing engine trouble.
The Delta Boeing 757, carrying Ingles’ Utah Jazz to their game against the Grizzles in Memphis on Wednesday, had to return to the airport after the collision with the birds forced the left engine to be shut down.
No injuries were reported.
A Delta spokesperson told FOX 13 in Utah it was Flight 8944 involved in the bird strike and the Jazz confirmed it was their players aboard, per reports.
“As the aircraft was taking off it hit a flock of birds,” Delta said in a statement to FOX 13.
“The left engine was shut down, the pilot declared an emergency in return to Salt Lake International Airport.
“Aircraft landed without incident and was able to taxi back. Delta Airlines is working on finding another aircraft to get their customers to their destinations.”
It is unclear when the Jazz will get another plane.
Ingles’ teammates Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neal, Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson were among Jazz players who tweeted a praying hands emoji, while centre Rudy Gobert simply tweeted: “It’s a beautiful day!”
Airplane engine trouble has practically been the only thing that has been able to stop the Jazz, who have won six straight games to raise their record to a league best 35-11 record.
In 2017, the nose of a charter plane carrying the Oklahoma City Thunder was severely damaged by a bird strike during it’s landing in Chicago.
Members of the NBA team were left dumbfounded when they saw the aftermath when disembarking the Delta flight 8935 from Minneapolis.
No one was reported hurt.