Days before the air disaster in South Korea, a flight in Alaska also experienced a bird strike, but the effect was not as catastrophic. Alaska Airlines said Horizon Air Flight 2041 from Anchorage to Fairbanks was forced to turn around on Christmas Eve after an eagle hit the plane,

The eagle survived the collision, but was euthanized after local veterinarians determined its injuries were too extensive

An Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks was forced to return to Ted Stevens International Airport last week after an eagle struck an engine during takeoff.

The crew of Horizon Air Flight 2041 reported a bird strike shortly after taking off from Anchorage Airport at 11:40 on December 24, forcing a return to the airport. The airline’s Embraer 175LR registration N648QX had struck a bald eagle but landed in Anchorage at 12:09 with no injuries to passengers or crew.