Alaska Airlines jet damaged after hitting bear on runway

An Alaska Airlines jet was damaged after impact with a brown bear on the runway of a small Alaska airport.

The Anchorage Daily News reported no injuries aboard the flight but the animal was killed.

A bear cub was unhurt, according to Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities spokesperson Sam Dapcevich.

Dapcevich said airport crews had cleared the runway at Yakutat Airport before the Boeing 737’s scheduled landing and no wildlife was spotted.

However as pilots touched down, they spotted the two bears crossing the runway.

”The nose gear missed the bears, but the captain felt an impact on the left side after the bears passed under the plane,” Alaska Airlines said.

The impact damaged the left engine cowling of the jet.

”Our maintenance technicians are working to repair the plane, which will take a couple of days,” Alaska Airlines said. 

Although wildlife incursions at airport are not unheard of across Alaska, Dapcevich says this is the first incident involving  a bear that he is aware of.

Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor