Bird strike - USA - Curt Lewis

Jet returns to Key West airport after colliding with a bird, losing an engine

The American Airlines flight was headed to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

An American Airlines jet was forced to return to Key West International Airport Sunday shortly after takeoff because it collided with a bird.

A bird put a bump in the flight plan of an American Airlines' jet bound for Virginia from Key West after the two collided, causing the plane to lose power in an engine and return to where it started.

The Embraer 175 jet, carrying 67 crew and passengers on Flight 4680, returned safely to Key West International Airport Sunday afternoon shortly after its 1:50 p.m. takeoff, according to Cammy Clark, a spokeswoman with the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.

"The flight crew did a great job of flying the aircraft safely back to the airport," said Donald DeGraw, director of Key West International Airport in a statement. "The airport's fire department and mutual aid were called out, ready to respond, but fortunately they were not needed."

The passengers, who were headed to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia, will be rebooked on other flights, Clark said.