Stock image of a United Airlines flight.Photo:Getty
Getty
AUnited Airlinesflight from San Francisco to Denver was forced to return to its point of origin on Saturday after a bird strike.
United Airlines Flight 1003 was on its way to Denver International Airport when there was a reported bird strike, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. The Boeing 737 returned safely to San Francisco International Airport at around 6 a.m.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
United Airlines flight.Gary Hershorn/Getty
Gary Hershorn/Getty
A United spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that Flight 1003 returned to San Francisco after a bird strike. The flight changed planes and continued to its destination, the airline said.
This was thelatest incident involving a United Airlines flightin recent weeks. On March 16, a United flight from San Francisco to Oregonlanded safely with a panel missing. On March 8, a United flight from San Francisco to Mexico was diverted to Los Angelesdue to a hydraulics issue.
On Friday, United Airlines vice president of corporate safety, Sasha Johnson, said the FAA was increasing oversight of the airline after the recent incidents, reports theAssociated Press.
United Airlines flights.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
“Over the next several weeks, we will begin to see more of an FAA presence in our operation as they begin to review some of our work processes, manuals and facilities,” Johnson wrote in a note to employees. “We welcome their engagement and are very open to hear from them about what they find and their perspective on things we may need to change to make us even safer.”
In its statement, the FAA said it “routinely monitors all aspects of an airline’s operation,” adding that its oversight “focuses on an airline’s compliance with applicable regulations; ability to identify hazards, assess and mitigate risk; and effectively manage safety,” per the AP.
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On Monday, Boeing announced its CEO, Dave Calhoun,was stepping down at the end of 2024, following incidents involving the company’s aircraft. In January, a Boeing 737-9 aircraft’s door blew out mid-airduring an Alaska Airlines flight to Ontario, California.
“President and CEO Dave Calhoun today announced his decision to step down as CEO at the end of 2024, and he will continue to lead Boeing through the year to complete the critical work underway to stabilize and position the company for the future,” the manufacturer said in a statement.
source: people.com
