FedEx Cargo Plane Emergency Landing after Bird Strike

A FedEx cargo plane returning to Newark after a bird strike incident.

News Summary

A FedEx cargo plane experienced a dramatic emergency shortly after takeoff from Newark Liberty International Airport when it struck a bird. The incident, causing an engine to catch fire, forced the crew to return to the airport safely. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the three individuals on board. Following the event, the FAA launched an investigation into the bird strike phenomenon, which is being increasingly recognized as a common occurrence in aviation. FedEx praised its crew for their swift actions during the crisis.

FedEx Cargo Plane Faces Emergency After Bird Strike

On a typical Saturday morning, an unexpected twist unfolded in the skies above Newark. A FedEx cargo plane, known as Flight 3609, took off from Newark Liberty International Airport, looking forward to its journey to Indianapolis. Just moments after takeoff, the routine flight turned into a nail-biting incident when the Boeing 767 encountered a bird.

A Dramatic Incident Unfolds

The clock read just before 8 a.m. when the aircraft struck the unfortunate bird, leading to significant trouble when one of its engines erupted in flames. As the crew quickly recognized the severity of the situation, they declared an emergency and made a brave decision to return to Newark.

Witnesses on the ground couldn’t believe their ears or eyes. Many reported that they heard a “real loud boom,” and their gaze was quickly drawn skyward to see flames dancing out from the engine as the plane gracefully circled back toward the airport. Sporty and Ed Hodges, at first startled enough to think the loud sound might have been an earthquake, soon realized they were witnessing an aircraft emergency unfolding live before their eyes.

Social Media Sparks with Eyewitness Accounts

Among the spectators was Sofiane Zeblah, who happened to be driving when she noticed something fall from the sky. She pulled out her phone, capturing the alarming moment flames erupted from the right wing engine. This kind of video footage shows just how intense and terrifying the situation was for everyone involved.

All Safe on Board

Following the emergency landing, Newark Liberty International Airport did experience a brief shutdown to ensure safety protocols were in place, but operations resumed shortly after. Travelers worried about flight delays can rest assured that a quick response helped restore normalcy.

Investigations Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, has stepped in to investigate the cause of this bird strike—an occurrence that, while alarming, is actually considered relatively common in the aviation world. In fact, there were approximately 19,603 wildlife strikes reported across the U.S. in 2023 alone. Fortunately, only about 3.6 percent of these resulted in any actual damage.

Heightened Awareness in Aviation Safety

67 people and a Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia—have heightened public concern. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that aviation accidents have been decreasing, with January and February 2023 marking the lowest numbers of incidents reported since 1982.