Flight leaving O’Hare forced to land after hitting a bird

The United flight en route to Miami experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff, the airline says

CHICAGO — A plane departing Chicago’s O’Hare Airport was forced to land shortly after takeoff after hitting a bird on Friday.

According to a statement from United Airlines, Flight 1930 was departing Chicago and en route to Miami when there was a bird strike.

“The plane landed safely and the passengers disembarked at the gate,” the statement said.

The passengers were put on a new plane, and that flight was said to depart around 1 p.m.

“I was sitting in my office at work and we heard a very loud, almost explosive noise,” Alison Doshen recalled in a phone interview with WGN News. “I looked out my window to my left and saw the plane in the air. You could clearly see flames emanating from one of the jet engines, so we all ran outside to get a closer look.”

Witnesses say they were in shock and unsure of what would happen next.

“I really didn’t know what to think or what was going on, but I knew it wasn’t good,” Doshen said. “You never know what might happen, but I’m glad everyone is safe.”