NBA-Utah Jazz flight returns to airport after bird strike

[March 31, 2021]    (Reuters) -A charter flight carrying the Utah Jazz to Memphis on Tuesday was forced to return to Salt Lake City airport after an engine was damaged when the plane struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff, the team said.

A general view of a game between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at a partially filled Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The plane returned safely to the airport after the collision with the birds caused "engine failure," team spokesman Frank Zang said.

Utah is scheduled to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

"GOD is good," forward Royce O'Neale wrote alongside two praying hand emojis on Twitter.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Stephen Coates/Peter Rutherford)

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.