Plane makes emergency landing at TPA after hitting birds

A plane that took off from Tampa International Airport bound for Raleigh, NC, struck two birds and had to return to the airport Sunday, according to Emily Nipps, a spokesperson for the airport.

Nipps said the pilots turned the plane around, alerted the tower and landed after hitting two cattle egrets. 

There was no damage to the plane and they believe the birds hit the wing and not the engine, according to Nipps.

The Airbus A319 had 40 customers and five crew members on board.

Because of damage to the plane's engine, the passengers and crew had to transfer to another plane to continue the flight.
 

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