Passengers evacuated after American Airlines flight hits deer on runway

A plane was evacuated after hitting a deer at an America airport.

The American Eagle flight hit the animal during take-off at Charlotte International Airport, in North Carolina, American media reported.

The plane was then forced to land in Mississippi, according to WSOCTV.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the pilot of Flight 5320 declared an emergency on Wednesday afternoon.

An American Airlines spokeswoman said in the statement that the aircraft was leaking fuel as a result of the incident.

Some 44 passengers were evacuated and no injuries were reported, officials said.