NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A duck forced a LifeFlight helicopter to make an emergency landing in a field in Henry County Friday.
Authorities said the helicopter was on its way to Henry County Medical Center in Paris to pick up a patient when the bird interfered with the flight.
The duck slammed into the windshield, cracking it and forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing, Kevin Nooner, chief flight nurse and base manager for LifeFlight, said.
"Our aircraft was flying at about 2,000 feet when they experienced a bird strike," Nooner Nashville's News 2 Monday.
He said the bird hit the right side of the EC-130 single engine aircraft and ended up inside the helicopter.
The pilot had the aircraft on the ground in a field within minutes.
Nooner said, "Our pilot was able to maintain complete control of the aircraft, had a little bit of vibration, but was able to make a very controlled, precautionary landing in a field."
Bird strikes are more common that most people probably realize, according to Nooner.
He said, "Bird strikes, unfortunately, are pretty common in our industry. It's a hazard that we always try to be aware of."
No one was injured however the duck did not survive the incident.
The helicopter was taken to Clarksville for repairs. It is expected to be out of service for a few days.
LifeFlight has five other helicopters currently in service.
Another helicopter was set to Paris to pick up the patient.
