A SkyWest Airlines flight en route from Minneapolis to Rapid City had to return and land back after a bird hit the aircraft at about 4000 feet altitude.
The Canadair CRJ-200 aircraft, belonging to SkyWest airlines and operating as a Delta airlines connection, was taking 50 passengers to Rapid City, South Dakota. The plane took off at about 9:48pm on April 22 and just after 10 minutes, experienced a bird strike. The pilot then immediately returned and landed at St. Paul International Airport, Minneapolis.
The bird strike damaged the nose cone of the aircraft. The director of corporate communications for SkyWest Airlines, Marissa Snow confirmed that the bird strike forced the flight 4480 to return and land in Minneapolis.
The passengers were accommodated in hotels and were taken to the Rapid City next day, through another plane.
Spirit Airlines flight NK-153 had to return for an emergency landing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 13th.
PSA Airlines flight OH-5701 made an emergency landing in Norfolk, Virginia, on April 27th.
Qatar Airways flight QR-240 had to return and make an emergency landing at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkey, on August 18th.