Flight returns to Sacramento airport after hitting birds

A flight from Sacramento to Denver with 135 people aboard made an emergency landing after hitting birds shortly after takeoff.

Sacramento International Airport spokeswoman Laurie Slothower says the bird strike occurred shortly before 6 a.m. Friday and forced a 737 jet to turn around and land back at the airport. The flight safely touched down at 6:20 a.m.

None of the 129 passengers and six crew members was injured.

KCRA-TV meteorologist Eileen Javora says she was on the plane and tells the station that she heard a couple of booms and then smelled smoke.

United Airlines spokeswoman Mary Ryan says a maintenance team is inspecting the aircraft.