KENOVA, W.Va. -- Passengers gave thanks no one was injured after three turkeys flew into the side of a plane as it was landing at Tri-State Airport Wednesday morning.

Allegiant Air Flight 816 from St. Petersburg, Fla., was just landing at the airport around 9:30 a.m. when it hit three turkeys who were flying low over the runway, according to airport officials.

One side of the aircraft was damaged and the plane was grounded. No people were injured in the accident, but the gobblers did not survive.

Passengers who were scheduled to depart on the return flight to the St. Petersburg area at 10:30 a.m. had to wait for another plane to arrive, according to the airport. That flight departed at 3:15 p.m. and was expected to arrive in Florida before 5 p.m.

Beckie McKinley, the airport's marketing director, told media outlets the flying turkey incident was very unusual and "rarely to never" happens.