A FedEx cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark Airport on Saturday morning after a bird strike caused one of its engines to catch fire, an airport official confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Dramatic Footage Captures Midair Fire
Shocking video footage shows the Boeing 767-300 twin-jet aircraft banking to the right while releasing a massive plume of smoke from its right engine, which was engulfed in flames.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, with one person in a video shouting frantically: “Oh my God, oh my God!”
Despite the terrifying moment, another video shows the aircraft landing safely with its engine still ablaze.
No Injuries Reported, Air Traffic Temporarily Halted
According to officials, the plane touched down at 8:07 a.m., and no injuries were reported. It remains unclear how many people were on board.
As a precaution, air traffic at Newark Airport was briefly halted, but operations resumed shortly after the landing.
FedEx Responds to the Incident
FedEx confirmed that Flight 3609 was en route from Newark to Indianapolis when the bird strike occurred.
“Our B767 crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark after dealing with the resulting engine damage, including an engine fire. The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots were exemplary. We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders,” the company said in a statement.
FAA Confirms Investigation as Bird Strikes Rise
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane landed safely after striking a bird during departure and announced an investigation into the incident.
Bird strikes are a growing concern in aviation. According to the FAA’s 2023 report:
- 19,603 bird strikes were reported in the U.S. in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022.
- Since 1988, 76 people have died and 126 aircraft have been destroyed due to bird-related incidents.
Officials Praise Pilots’ Quick Thinking
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy praised the FedEx pilots’ swift response, sharing footage of the incident on X (formerly Twitter):
“Video from the incident shows the quick-thinking pilots returning the plane to land safely while the engine is on fire. My thanks and admiration go out to them for their professionalism and execution under extreme pressure.”
The FAA’s investigation will aim to determine how the incident unfolded and assess any further safety measures needed to address the rising risk of bird strikes in aviation.
