Jet 'returned to the airport as a precautionary measure'
A show by Canada's top aerobatic team was disrupted Sunday afternoon when one of the jets hit a bird.
The collision happened about a third of the way through a Snowbirds performance above the Shearwater air base near Halifax during the Nova Scotia International Air Show.
The pilot of Snowbird number 7 left the formation to land his plane but was never in danger, said Capt. Marc Velasco.
"[The bird] did not enter the engine. It didn't cause any sort of engine malfunction. The aircraft was able to operate, but at that point it's standard procedure for the team to halt the performance," he said.
"The aircraft that had the bird strike was able to ensure that all his systems were still working, still functional and returned to the airport as a precautionary measure."
The pilot transfered into one of the military team's spare Tutor jets and rejoined the performance not long after he made his landing.
The plane is being inspected to ensure it will be able to fly when the team heads back to its base in Moose Jaw, Sask.
