FedEx plane lands safely after bird strike sparks engine fire

A FedEx cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday morning after a bird strike caused one of its engines to catch fire midair.

Dramatic footage captured the Boeing 767 emitting thick smoke and flames from its right engine as it turned back toward the airport. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing a loud explosion, while one video recorded an individual exclaiming in shock as the plane descended.

The aircraft, which had been en route to Indianapolis, landed safely at 8:07 a.m., according to Lenis Valens, a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Fire crews quickly responded to the scene, and no injuries were reported.

Audio from LiveATC communications between the flight crew and air traffic control revealed the pilots’ calm response. "We need to return to the airport immediately," one voice stated, citing a possible bird strike. A second transmission suggested that part of the engine may have detached mid-flight.

The incident briefly halted air traffic at Newark Airport, but operations resumed shortly after. Three people were on board the aircraft, all of whom deplaned safely.

FedEx later confirmed the emergency, stating that the pilots "declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark after dealing with the resulting engine damage." The company praised the professionalism of its crew and thanked first responders for their swift actions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. The agency has previously warned of increasing bird strike incidents, with over 19,000 reported at U.S. airports in 2023. While most do not result in serious damage, some—like the 2009 US Airways flight that Captain "Sully" Sullenberger famously landed on the Hudson River—have led to emergency situations.

This latest emergency comes amid growing concerns about aviation safety following several high-profile incidents in recent weeks. The FAA continues to emphasize the importance of bird strike mitigation measures to minimize risks to aircraft.