Delta 747 Makes Emergency Landing on Midway Island

A Delta Air Lines 747 with nearly 380 passengers and crew made an emergency stop at the Midway Atoll wildlife refuge part of the way between Hawaii and Japan after the plane developed a crack in the cockpit windshield.

The Delta flight was heading from Honolulu to Osaka Thursday when pilots noticed the crack and landed at the former military base about 1,300 miles northwest of Oahu at about 5:40 p.m. Midway is home to about 1 million Laysan albatross seabirds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which runs the refuge, said Friday that Delta kept the passengers on board until a second 747 arrived from Japan to fly the passengers to Osaka. The replacement plane left about 5 a.m. Friday, just before light and before the seabirds began to fly.

With the condition of its windshield, the 747 could not wait until dark to land, which would have been safer because the birds are less active.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials say the plane struck two birds when it landed, one of which damaged the aircraft's wing flap.

"Bird strikes are always unfortunate and sad, but we are grateful the plane landed safety and everyone is okay," Refuge Manager Sue Schulmeister said of the landing. "It's a good thing Midway is here when needed for these types of situations."

Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is part of the co-managed Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, which extends some 1,200 miles northwest from the main Hawaiian Islands.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are expected to release video and pictures.