Report: Jazz team plane makes emergency landing after hitting birds

The Utah Jazz's flight to Memphis on Tuesday was forced to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City shortly after takeoff due to an unexpected collision, reports Fox 13's Andrea Urban.

"As the aircraft was taking off, it hit a flock of birds," Delta said in a statement, according to Fox 13's Brian Schnee. "The left engine was shut down, the pilot declared an emergency in return to Salt Lake International Airport. Aircraft landed without incident and was able to taxi back."

The plane looked worse for wear back on the tarmac, with visible damage to the left engine turbine and blood smeared across the cockpit's underside.

After the eventful episode, Jazz players seemed appreciative of their circumstances.

Utah faces the Memphis Grizzlies on the road Wednesday.