Shortly after taking off from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, an American Airlines flight was forced to turn around Monday after flames erupted from the plane's left engine. Officials said the aircraft, which was headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, apparently hit birds while taking off. "Mayday, mayday, mayday. We've got a engine problem here," the plane's pilot was heard telling air traffic control. Thousands of animal strikes reported so far this yearAnimal strikes are not uncommon in aviation.