New Jersey [US]: FedEx aircraft made an emergency landing shortly after departing from Newark Airport due to a fire in its right engine, reportedly caused by a bird strike. Video footage captured the Boeing 767-3S2F returning to the runway with flames coming from the engine around 8 a.m. local time. Two fire trucks from the Port Authority responded quickly to extinguish the fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board has since launched an investigation into the incident. The aircraft landed safely at 8:07 a.m., just nine minutes after takeoff, with no injuries reported. Air traffic was temporarily halted as a safety measure but resumed shortly after. Flight Aware indicated that while the full extent of the damage was unclear, the plane was cleared for its journey to Indiana by 9:30 a.m.
A FedEx spokesperson commented, “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 grateful for the swift actions of our crew and first responders.”
This incident comes amid a series of recent passenger aircraft accidents that have raised concerns about air safety. For instance, on February 25, a Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision at Chicago Midway Airport due to a private jet crossing the runway. Additionally, on February 24, a Delta Air Lines flight bound for South Carolina had to return to Atlanta when smoke and haze filled the cabin, marking the second such incident in a short span. Earlier in February, a tragic midair collision involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial plane resulted in the deaths of 67 people, including young competitive figure skaters and their parents.