Jet turns back after bird strike

Photo / Supplied

An Air New Zealand jet carrying 110 passengers to Auckland turned back to Christchurch a few minutes after take-off yesterday after a suspected birdstrike.

The airline said the Boeing 737 was to be inspected by engineers, and the passengers were switched to another plane to continue their journey.

Last Wednesday, an Air NZ plane landed safely at Wellington Airport despite one engine being shut down by a birdstrike.