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Manchester, N.H.

Southwest Airlines jet forced to make unexpected landing

MANCHESTER, N.H. — A Southwest Airlines passenger jet was forced to make an unexpected landing in Manchester, N.H., Friday after it struck a flock of birds during takeoff, according to the airport’s spokesman. Flight 4055, a Boeing 737, departed Manchester-Boston Regional Airport for Baltimore-Washington International Airport at 8:46 a.m. when in came into contact with the birds in mid-air, spokesman Thomas Malafronte said. As a precautionary measure, Southwest elected to cancel the flight and return to the airport until a thorough inspection could be completed. The 142 passengers on flight 4055 were taken off the plane and then moved to another aircraft which took them to BWI, according to Malafronte. “It is rare for an aircraft to land because of a bird strike, but as always, safety is the first priority,” the spokesman said.