Fighter jet lands safely after bird strike

9/4/2012
BLADE STAFF

A bird strike caused a fighter jet from the Ohio Air National Guard base at Toledo Express Airport to make a precautionary landing Tuesday afternoon, a base spokesman said.

Maj. Gary Bentley, of the 180th Fighter Wing, said the jet’s pilot circled the airport for about 40 minutes to burn off fuel after his aircraft’s engine ingested the bird at about 2:25 p.m., then landed safely.

There was no injury and no visible damage to the plane, but the engine will be inspected and repaired as necessary, the major said.