Houston-bound Southwest flight diverted to BWI Airport after bird strike near D.C.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Houston, Texas, was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Tuesday afternoon after the plane struck birds following its departure from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Southwest Airlines Flight 1739 landed safely at BWI Airport around 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 8 after the crew reported hitting birds while departing from DCA. A Southwest Airlines spokesperson told FOX45 News that the pilots followed procedures.

ALSO READ | Airbag theft spree hits Glen Burnie, Odenton & Crofton

The Boeing 737 MAX-8 was headed to William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, officials said. Passengers will be flown to Houston on a different aircraft, according to Southwest Airlines.

“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees,” a Southwest Airlines spokesperson said via email.

The FAA said it will be investigating.