http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11716494?nclick_check=1 San Jose plane grounded after hit by birds By Sandra Gonzales Mercury News Posted: 02/16/2009 12:10:05 PM PST A United Airlines flight heading for Denver from San Jose was grounded Monday after it struck birds just before take off. "While on the runway it may have made contact with some birds as it was preparing to take off," said United Airlines spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said. Flight No. 1220, scheduled to depart at 7:12 a.m. from Mineta San Jose International Airport, was traveling at about 120 knots, or about 138 mph, when it hit the birds, believed to be seagulls. As a precautionary measure, Urbanski said, the pilot turned off the engines and went back to the gate as the airlines usually does when these type of incidents occur. No one was injured during the incident and the passengers were booked on another plane. The plane, which had engine damage from the bird strike, was being inspected. Urbanski said passengers on today's flight were booked onto another flight. Although birds striking planes are considered relatively common and minor, incidents like these gained widespread attention after a flock of birds disabled both engines of a U.S. Airways jetliner at more than 3,000 feet, forcing it to land in New York's Hudson River. That incident made a hero of Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger of Dannville who has said the cabin smelled of burned poultry after Canada geese hit the plane. All passengers aboard that flight survived. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".