Emergency Landing Drama: FedEx Plane Strikes Birds and Catches Fire at Newark Airport

On March 2, a FedEx plane had to make an emergency landing just after taking off from Newark Airport. The right engine caught fire due to a bird strike. Video footage shows the Boeing 767-3S2F returning to the runway with flames erupting from the engine around 8 am local time. Fire trucks from the Port Authority rushed to the scene as the plane landed, quickly putting out the fire.

The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the incident, which forced the plane to land at 8:07 am—just nine minutes after its departure. Thankfully, all passengers and crew members were safe. Air traffic was briefly halted for safety reasons but resumed shortly afterward. By 9:30 am, the aircraft was cleared to continue its flight to Indiana.

A FedEx spokesperson confirmed the event, stating, “FedEx Flight 3609 from Newark to Indianapolis experienced a bird strike during takeoff. Our crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark. We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders.”

This incident comes amid growing concerns about aviation safety, especially following other recent close calls. For instance, on February 25, a Southwest Airlines flight nearly collided with a private jet at Chicago Midway Airport. Just a day earlier, a Delta Air Lines flight bound for South Carolina had to return to Atlanta when smoke filled the cabin, marking the second similar occurrence in a short span. Earlier this month, a tragic accident involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial plane resulted in the deaths of 67 people.