American Airlines flight turns back after bird strike

An American Airlines flight returned to Tulsa International Airport in the U.S. state of Oklahoma after the aircraft apparently struck birds shortly after takeoff on Friday, local media reported. The captain of the Flight 1491, headed for Dallas, Texas, declared an emergency shortly after takeoff on Friday morning, local media NewOK quoted American Airlines' spokesman Kent Powell as saying. The Boeing 757 carried 185 passengers and a crew of seven at the time of the incident, Powell said. The captain decided to turn around and return to Tulsa International Airport where all passengers exited the jet and crews inspected it for possible damage. The airplane passed inspection with no damage and was put back into operation several hours later. Passengers reboarded the plane and arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in the afternoon safely, Powell said. The incident came a week after an American Eagle jet flying from Dallas to Moline, Illinois made an emergency landing at an east Texas airport after smoke was reported in the cockpit. No injuries were reported among the 45 passengers and three crew members.