An Alaska Airlines flight took off from Anchorage, Alaska, but quickly returned after striking an eagle just after takeoff.

Alaska Airlines flight 2041, operated by subsidiary Horizon Air, left Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on an in-state flight for Fairbanks International Airport on Christmas Eve at around 11:40 a.m. It returned to Anchorage less than half an hour later.

An airline spokesperson confirmed to Anchorage NBC affiliate KTUU-TV Tuesday that the plane hit an eagle shortly after taking off. No emergency was declared since the pilots aboard were trained for such situations, but the plane, an Embraer 175 twin-jet, was temporarily removed from service.

The eagle survived the initial strike but had to be euthanized because of the severity of its injuries.

Alaska Bird Treatment and Learning Center Executive Director Laura Atwood told the news outlet that there was an open fracture in the eagle’s left wing that was too severe to rehabilitate. It was subsequently euthanized.

Ms. Atwood did not specify whether the eagle in question was a bald eagle or a golden eagle. Both species can be found in Alaska.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.