Cargo plane lands in Show Low after bird strike

PHOENIX (AP) — A cargo plane managed to land safely Wednesday after a bird or birds slammed into the plane's windshield.

Federal officials said the impact shattered the plane's wind screen, causing minor facial injuries and a bruised shoulder to the pilot and splattering bird blood across the inside of the aircraft.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the pilot, identified as Roger Wutke, was the only person onboard the Ameriflight Beechcraft C99. The impact was so violent it knocked the glasses and headset off Wutke.

A spokesman for Ameriflight cargo said Wutke was taken to a Show Low-area hospital where he received eight stitches to his face.

Wednesday's incident marks the second plane hit by birds. Monday, a Delta Air Lines passenger jet on a flight to Salt Lake City was forced to return to Phoenix after it struck a flock of birds.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com