American Airlines Flight Returns to Philadelphia After Multiple Bird Strikes

An American Airlines flight bound for San Francisco was forced to return to Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday Sep. 10 in the morning after reportedly experiencing multiple bird strikes shortly after takeoff.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), American Airlines Flight 2035 departed Philadelphia at 6:57 a.m. local time on Sept. 10 aboard an Airbus A321. Within minutes of takeoff, the crew reported multiple bird strikes and turned back, landing safely at Philadelphia around 7:30 a.m. The FAA confirmed it will investigate the incident.

FlightAware data show the initial flight lasted just 31 minutes before returning to the airport. A replacement aircraft later departed at 9:55 a.m. and is expected to arrive in San Francisco around 12:49 p.m. Pacific time. American Airlines said the original aircraft has been taken out of service for inspection by its maintenance team. Tracking: https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL2035/history/20250910/1111Z/KPHL/KPHL

“We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding,” the airline said in a statement to local outlet ABC 6.

Wildlife strikes—collisions between aircraft and animals—are a growing hazard for the aviation industry. The FAA has logged more than 291,600 wildlife strikes across the U.S. between 1990 and 2023, including about 19,400 at 713 U.S. airports last year alone. Expanding wildlife populations, increased aircraft movements, and faster, quieter planes have all contributed to the rise in reported incidents, according to the agency.

The FAA says bird strikes are most common between July and October, when young birds leave their nests and fall migration occurs. About 62% of strikes take place during daylight hours. Globally between 1988 and October 2024, wildlife strikes have caused 499 human fatalities and destroyed 361 aircraft, both military and civilian.

Earlier this year, a FedEx cargo plane suffered a bird strike during takeoff at Newark Liberty International Airport, forcing an emergency landing after one engine caught fire. No injuries were reported in that incident.

American Airlines did not immediately respond request for further comment.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, people.com