FedEx Cargo Plane Engine Caught Fire Mid-Air

A FedEx cargo plane had to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday morning after a bird strike caused an engine fire. The incident briefly halted air traffic, but fortunately, all three people on board were unharmed.

Quick Thinking in the Sky

The plane was on its way to Indianapolis when disaster struck. Audio recorded by LiveATC captured a calm voice reporting, “We need to return to the airport.” Shortly after, another voice added, “We believe we saw their engine fall off the right wing.” The strike occurred just a few hundred feet after takeoff, forcing the pilots to act fast.

Despite the chaos, the crew remained composed. FedEx spokesperson Austin Kemker praised their response, saying:

“The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots was exemplary. We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders.”

Fire, Smoke, and a Safe Landing

Kenneth Hoffman, a pilot on another flight, witnessed the scene. As his plane prepared for takeoff, air traffic control announced the emergency. Hoffman shared a video on social media showing flames shooting from the FedEx plane as it landed with fire rescue teams nearby.

While the fire was dramatic, it was contained to the engine, and no one was injured. Hoffman was impressed with how the pilots handled the situation, saying:

“They handled it like champs. At the end of the day, that’s what our training is all about.”

Investigations Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. The FAA confirmed:

“The strike damaged one of the Boeing 767’s engines.”

Bird strikes are a known risk in aviation, sometimes causing serious emergencies. One of the most famous incidents was the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson,” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed a jetliner on the Hudson River after birds disabled both engines.

A Growing Concern

Bird strikes are on the rise, with the FAA reporting over 19,000 wildlife strikes at U.S. airports in 2023. While most don’t lead to major incidents, this one serves as a reminder of how unpredictable flying can be.

This emergency landing comes amid heightened concerns about air safety. In just the past month, four major aviation accidents have occurred in North America, including the tragic crash of a commuter plane in Alaska and a midair collision at National Airport.

Thankfully, in this case, quick-thinking pilots and emergency responders turned what could have been a disaster into a successful emergency landing.