Plane forced to turn back

A REGIONAL Express flight bound for Townsville was yesterday forced to return to Cairns after a bird strike. Crew on REX flight ZL5419 followed standard procedures when a bird flew into the right- hand engine, shutting it down, landing safely at Cairns Airport at 9.22am, less than an hour after takeoff. Passengers departed on the 12.30pm service. REX recently expanded its services between Cairns and Townsville and now offers three return flights each weekday.