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PHOENIX (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration says a mechanical problem is the reason why a Southwest Airlines flight to Ontario, Calif., had to return to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Passengers aboard Flight 1015 told Phoenix radio station KTAR-FM (http://bit.ly/TvQTA5) that a bird struck one of the plane's engines about 45 minutes into the flight Thursday morning.

But the FAA won't confirm the bird strike, saying only that the pilot declared an emergency due to an engine outage due to mechanical problems.

KTAR says it was the jet's right engine.

FAA officials say the jet landed safely and passengers were put on a new plane for the flight to southern California.

No injuries were reported.