A Southwest Airways flight from Ft. Returned to Havana after Chook Assault en path to Lauderdale

(CNN) — A Fort Lauderdale-bound Southwest Airways flight was pressured to return to Havana Sunday morning after a chook strike, the airline says.

In an announcement to CNN on Sunday, Southwest stated the flight was hit by a chook.

Southwest flight #3923 from Havana, Cuba to Fort Lauderdale Sunday morning was reportedly hit by a chook within the engine and nostril shortly after takeoff. “The pilots returned safely to Havana, the place passengers discovered smoke within the cabin and exited the aircraft by way of the slides.”

Passengers and crew then took a bus to the terminal and flight preparations had been made to Fort Lauderdale, in keeping with Southwest.

“We recognize the immediate {and professional} actions of our pilots and flight attendants in responding to this incident. We apologize to our clients for the inconvenience and are right here to deal with their wants and supply help,” Southwest stated in an announcement.

Cuba’s state media, Radio Rebelde, cited Corporación de Aviación de Cuba SA as saying that the aircraft had detected a malfunction in certainly one of its engines throughout takeoff.

When the aircraft was allowed to land again in Havana, the passengers had been evacuated and had been in “good situation,” Radio Rebelt stated.

“CACSA careworn that the reason for the incident is being investigated and that the airport facility is sustaining its regular operations presently,” Radio Insurgent stated.

When requested in regards to the engine failure, a Southwest spokeswoman informed CNN that “the plane will likely be reviewed to evaluate the injury, however there aren’t any extra particulars to share presently.”