An American Airlines flight bound for San Francisco struck multiple birds shortly after takeoff from Philadelphia International Airport early Wednesday and returned to the gate without injuries, officials said.
Flight AA2035 departed Philadelphia at 6:57 a.m. when the aircraft struck the birds during a bumpy climb, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The plane was back on the tarmac at Philadelphia International Airport by about 7:30 a.m. and taxied to the gate under its own power, where customers deplaned normally, an American Airlines spokesperson said. The original aircraft was taken out of service for inspection and passengers were moved to a replacement plane that departed later in the morning, with FlightAware showing a takeoff at 9:55 a.m.
The FAA said wildlife strikes are not uncommon and provided national data to put the incident in context. In 2023, there were about 19,400 reported wildlife strikes at 713 U.S. airports. The agency has cited several contributing factors, including expanding wildlife populations, increases in the number of aircraft movements, shifting migration patterns, and trends toward faster and quieter aircraft. The FAA also said outreach to the aviation community has increased reporting of strikes.
Since 1988, the FAA said, wildlife strikes have been associated with roughly 500 human fatalities and more than 360 destroyed aircraft. The agency noted that a majority of strikes occur between July and October, a period that coincides with fledging and migration for many bird species. The FAA said those trends have prompted greater emphasis on wildlife hazard research and airfield wildlife management.
Airlines and regulators have cited several recent high-profile incidents as reminders of the risk. In August, a Paris-bound commercial aircraft sustained heavy damage to its nose after colliding with a single large bird, an impact strong enough to trigger oxygen mask deployment. In July, a seagull struck the cockpit window of a military jet during an airshow in Spain; the pilot recovered and landed safely.
American Airlines and the FAA said routine inspection and maintenance procedures were being followed for the aircraft involved in Wednesday's incident. No injuries were reported, and operations at Philadelphia International Airport continued; the delayed San Francisco flight ultimately departed later the same morning. The FAA and airport wildlife management teams continue to monitor and investigate wildlife strike events as part of ongoing safety efforts.