An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX departing for Orlando, FL made a precautionary return to Portland, OR after sustaining bird strikes after takeoff on 20 October 2024.
Alaska Airlines flight AS300, operated by a Boeing 737-9 MAX, had departed runway 10L Portland International Airport (PDX). The scheduled service was bound for Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Alaska Airlines AS300 Portland-Orlando
During the initial climb after takeoff, flight crew reported that the aircraft had sustained bird strikes. As a result, a direct return to the origin airport was requested.
According to the online source Aviation Herald, flight crew requested emergency ground services assets to standby, although they anticipated a normal landing.
The flight made a direct return and landed without further incident on runway 10R Portland International Airport.
The airline mustered a replacement aircraft to complete the onwards schedule service to Orlando. The replacement aircraft subsequently departed for Orlando at 0915 local time.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that flight AS300 had made its initial departure from Portland International Airport at 0752 local time on 20 October.
The birdstrike event was reported shortly after takeoff and flight crew terminated the climb procedure at 8000 feet.
The flight then received vectors from ATC to facilitate a direct return to Portland. The aircraft conducting the AS300 service to Florida was a Boeing 737-9 MAX, registered N968AK. This is a 1.4 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Alaska Airlines. It has been an operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in May 2023.
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