Jazz Plane Returns To Salt Lake City After Engine Problems
Mar 30, 2021, 2:35 PM | Updated: 4:31 pm
(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A charter flight carrying the Utah Jazz as they flew to Memphis was rerouted to Salt Lake International Airport after the plane experienced engine problems after a bird strike.
Flight radar shows the team left Salt Lake City around 1:15 pm but returned to the Salt Lake Airport at 1:31 pm after reaching an altitude of 8,550 feet.
The Jazz are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday day after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night at Vivint Arena.
Here’s a look from @KSLChopper5 at fire crews escorting a Delta 757 across @slcairport. We don’t have a ton of info yet, but @flightradar24 shows the flight taking off and immediately returning to land. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/vL48pe4qPw
— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyPhoto) March 30, 2021
The Jazz plane returned safely to the airport after being rerouted.
Photos from KSL’s Chopper 5 showed the plane back on the tarmac at the Salt Lake Airport with what appears to be damage to one of the plane’s engines.
Several members of the team took to social media to show their gratitude after the safe landing.
“It’s a beautiful day!” All-Star center Rudy Gobert tweeted.
It’s a beautiful day!
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) March 30, 2021
Guard Donovan Mitchell had a simpler message, showing two hands in prayer.
The Jazz own the NBA’s best record at 35-11, the airline is working to provide another plane to allow the team to travel to Memphis later today.