A charter plane carrying NBA championship contenders Utah Jazz was forced into an emergency landing that left superstars ‘shaken’.
Australian Joe Ingles was part of the squad on the Delta charter plane, a Boeing 757-200. The squad was travelling from Salt Lake City to Memphis for their upcoming clash with the Grizzlies.
But shortly after takeoff the plane hit a flock of birds, damaging the front of the plane and its left engine – and leaving sickening blood stains across the nose of the Boeing.
Watch Live coverage every week of the NBA Regular Season with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Wed, 31 Mar
Wednesday March 31st
“A Utah Jazz team charter flight was forced to safely return to the Salt Lake City airport this afternoon after striking a flock of birds that caused an engine fire and failure,” the Jazz said in a statement.
“Fortunately the plane landed safely,” a Jazz representative told USA Today.
“Everybody is shaken, but they’re okay.”
A number of Jazz players took to social media to share their gratitude at escaping unharmed.
Delta later released a statement, which read: “As the aircraft was taking off it hit a flock of birds.
“The left engine was shut down, the pilot declared an emergency in return to Salt Lake International Airport.
“Aircraft landed without incident and was able to taxi back.
“Delta Airlines is working on finding another aircraft to get their customers to their destinations.”