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Southwest flight forced to return to Nashville airport after hitting bird

Comes one day after emergency landing in Philly
Posted at 7:11 AM, Apr 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-18 16:28:33-04

A Southwest flight from Nashville to Phoenix had to circle around and come back to Nashville after the plane hit a bird.

The flight took off from Nashville International Airport Wednesday around 5:13 a.m. local time.

The flight path showed Flight 577 circle from west to north, turning back south to head back to the airport shortly after takeoff.

Scripps station WTVF in Nashville learned the flight had to land due to an Alert 1, meaning the plane possibly had a minor electrical or mechanical problem. Airline officials confirmed the plane experienced a bird strike.

No injuries or other issues have been reported.

The plane was taken out of service for maintenance, and the airline said they're working with affected passengers to help them on to their destinations.

The incident comes just a day after one person died when a Southwest flight made an emergency landing at the Philadelphia airport when an explosion damaged an engine and broke a window.