A plane traveling from Tampa International Airport to San Francisco hit a flock of birds Thursday and had to return to the airport.

The incident happened about 8 a.m. when United flight 2051 left TIA.

Because of plane weight concerns, the plane had to burn off fuel before it could safely land back at TIA.

It circled over the Gulf and then landed at 11:35 a.m.

Passengers were put on another flight to San Francisco Thursday afternoon.

There were no injuries reported.