JetBlue flight turns back after striking a coyote on the runway: 'We thought it was a joke'

A JetBlue flight was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff Tuesday after reportedly striking a coyote on the runway at a Rhode Island airport.

JetBlue Flight 1129, bound for New York’s JFK Airport, struck the animal while taking off from T.F. Green Airport Tuesday morning, according to WPRI-TV. Although the aircraft initially continued its climb, it returned to Rhode Island about 15 minutes later.

Erin Drozda, a passenger on the flight, said she heard "a thud" during takeoff.

"We were up in the air for 10 to 15 minutes...