A wayward U.S. Air Force Thunderbird departed Friday afternoon from Quad-City International Airport, headed to its original destination before it was diverted.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the markings of the Air Force's air demonstration squadron, piloted by Maj. Kirby Ensser, made an emergency landing shortly after 2:20 p.m. Thursday at the Quad-City International Airport near Moline because of a minor engine malfunction. No smoke was seen and the plane landed safely.

Ensser and his No. 3 Thunderbird took off from Quad-City International about 3:45 p.m., headed to Battle Creek, Mich., where the unit is scheduled to appear today and Sunday at the Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival, which began Wednesday and runs through Sunday.

Capt. Jason McCree, a spokesman for the Thunderbirds, said an incident like Thursday's occurs infrequently. He hasn't had a plane diverted since he joined the unit a year ago.

The plane was checked and was safe to resume to its destination, McCree said.

"Safety is our number one priority," he said. "The plane wouldn't take off if it wasn't safe."

On Thursday, another F-16 escorted the aircraft to the airport to make sure it landed safely. The second fighter continued on to Battle Creek.

The Thunderbirds are based at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.