Fire Erupts on FedEx Plane Midair: Dramatic Emergency Landing Saves Crew

A FedEx cargo plane had to make an emergency landing at Newark Airport in New Jersey on Saturday morning. This happened after a bird strike set one of its engines on fire, according to an airport official.

Witnesses captured dramatic footage of the plane as it turned to the right, releasing a huge cloud of smoke and flames from its right engine. Many reported hearing a loud explosion. One video even shows a bystander exclaiming, “Oh my God, oh my God.”

In another clip, the FedEx plane can be seen landing safely despite flames still visible from its engine. Luckily, there were no injuries reported, and the plane touched down at 8:07 a.m. It’s not clear how many people were on board. As a safety measure, airport operations were briefly halted but have since resumed.

This cargo plane is a Boeing 767-300 twin-jet. According to Flight Radar, it was on its way to Indianapolis when the bird strike occurred. FedEx released a statement saying, “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.” The FAA confirmed that they are investigating the incident.

Flames spewing from the plane’s engine. (@mike__bova)

Bird strikes are more common than many people realize. In 2023 alone, there were 19,603 reported strikes in the U.S., marking a 14 percent increase from 2022. Between 1988 and 2023, bird strikes have tragically resulted in 76 deaths and the destruction of 126 aircraft.

If you’re curious to learn more about bird strikes or aviation safety, there are many resources available. It’s a vital topic to understand, especially for frequent flyers!

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