Bird strike leads to aborted takeoff at RSW

Southwest Airlines. Photo via Forbes.

FORT MYERS, Fla. A bird strike caused a major delay at Southwest Florida International Airport Wednesday afternoon, airline officials said.

A Southwest Airlines plane traveling to St. Louis hit a bird, forcing the pilot to immediately hit the brakes.

The sudden stop caused both front tires to blow out and the pilot to abort takeoff.

The plane’s 143 passengers were deplaned on the taxiway, officials said.

“We felt nothing other than just the big breaks hitting, which was just a thud, and then all of the sudden everyone’s leaning forward because he was trying to stop it as fast as he can,” said passenger Steve Mullen.

No injuries were reported.

Southwest is rebooking all displaced passengers to their destinations.

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