A FedEx cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing after an engine fire - with the terrifying sight caught on camera.
The Boeing 767, operating as FedEx Flight 3609, was departing for Indianapolis on Saturday, March 1 when the incident occurred.
Just before 8:00MA, flames were seen erupting from beneath the aircraft as it ascended, prompting the crew to declare an emergency and return to Newark.
The plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, with officials later revealing after colliding with a bird during takeoff, igniting an engine fire, ABC News reports.
Eyewitnesses Recall the Shocking Moment
Sofiane Zeblah, who witnessed and recorded the aftermath, described the scene to ABC News.
"I was driving and saw something falling and then fire start on the right wing engine. I believe a bird went through the engine, a big bird," Zeblah said. "I was in shock. I stopped immediately on the turnpike. Thankfully nothing happened."
Videos shared on social media appeared to show the airplane’s engine on fire as it flew over New Jersey before safely returning to the airport.
FedEx and FAA Confirm Emergency Landing
In a statement following the incident, FedEx confirmed the bird strike and praised the crew for their response.
“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,” a FedEx representative told ABC News.
The company added: “The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots was exemplary.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed that one of the engines sustained damage due to the strike.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, per TODAY. However, as a precaution, air traffic was briefly paused before normal operations resumed.
A Week of Aviation Incidents
The FedEx bird strike comes amid a week of multiple airline incidents.
On Sunday, Febreuary 23, American Airlines Flight AA292, traveling from New York to New Delhi, was diverted to Rome due to a bomb threat. The airline later confirmed the security issue was “determined to be non-credible.”
Just two days later, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, Delta Flight 876, en route from Atlanta to South Carolina, had to turn around and make an emergency landing after the cabin filled with smoke mid-flight.