Cape Air flight, large bird collided mid-air

BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) -  A Cape Air flight headed to Nantucket had to quickly turn around after a large bird crashed through the co-pilot's window.

The co-pilot of the Cessna 402C was scratched by glass and its four passengers spattered with the bird's blood after the collision Wednesday morning.

The pilots were able to safely land at Barnstable Municipal Airport.

A Cape Air spokeswoman said the passengers changed clothes and boarded another plane for the trip to Nantucket. She said Cape Air maintenance workers were examining the plane to ensure there was no structural damage.

Ornithologist and Cape Cod Times bird columnist E. Vernon Laux was shown a photo of the dead bird and identified it as an immature red-throated loon.