Independence, Mo. ? Jackson County authorities say a LifeFlight helicopter was forced to land early Friday morning after it ran into a flock of birds.

Officials say the helicopter was on its way to pick up a patient at 12:43 a.m. when it ran into the birds, which broke a window on the lower front of the aircraft. The helicopter landed safely in a field, and nobody on board was injured.

The helicopter is one of five operated by LifeFlight and is expected to be out of service while repairs are made.