Alaksa Airlines pilots honored for aborted Sitka takeoff

SITKA, Alaska — Two Alaska Airlines pilots have been honored for successfully aborting a takeoff from Sitka last year after an eagle flew into an engine.

Capt. Steve Cleary of Federal Way and First Officer Michael Hendrix of Seattle received the Superior Airmanship Award last week from the Air Line Pilots Association International.

The Sitka Sentinel reported the community’s Rocky Gutierrez Airport has a single 6,500-foot runway that is nearly surrounded by the Gulf of Alaska.

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Cleary and Hendrix on Aug. 8, 2010, began a takeoff in a Boeing 737 with full load of 134 passengers and five crewmembers.

The jet had taxied to about 150 mph when the eagle smashed into the left engine, which exploded and burst into flames.

The crew stopped the jet near the end of the runway.

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