A Frontier Airlines plane headed to Denver had to make an emergency landing in Kansas City tonight after at least one of its engines were damaged when the aircraft struck a flock of birds.
There were no reported injuries to the more than 120 people on board the plane after it landed at Kansas City International Airport, according to a Frontier spokesman.
Frontier spokesman Steve Snyder said the Airbus 319 was damaged shortly after taking off from Kansas City at 6 p.m. Snyder said he did not know what kind of birds the plane hit.
“The report said the No. 2 engine was damaged,” Snyder said, saying the two-engine plane still had power as the aircraft landed.
An airport dispatcher said the plane landed safely and taxied on the runway under its power.
A passenger told 9News that she saw flames and smelled a horrible odor. She described terrified passengers who were openly weeping.
Snyder could not confirm the report of fire, but said said it would not be uncommon to see a burst of flames when a bird collides with an engine.
He said the airline was trying to find alternate flights for passengers to take Saturday night, but some might have to spend the night in Kansas City.
Tim Hoover: 303-954-1626 or thoover@denverpost.com
