A video shows the Boeing 767-3S2F scrambling to get back onto the tarmac
A FedEx plane was filmed as its engine suddenly burst into flames just moments after taking off from an airport.
After a series of recent airplane troubles, a global delivery service plane became the latest casualty following its departure from Newark Airport on Saturday, February 1.
A dramatic video, now circulating through news broadcasts, captures the tense moment when the Boeing 767-3S2F struggles to return to the runway. One of its engines was seen engulfed in flames around 8 a.m., as the crew worked to bring the plane back to safety.
The tense situation was quickly brought under control, as the plane made an emergency landing shortly after its engine burst into flames. Two Port Authority fire trucks were waiting on the runway to extinguish the blaze.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest a bird strike may be to blame—a similar issue believed to have caused a tragic crash landing of a Jeju airliner in South Korea, which resulted in fatalities.
Fortunately, according to Lenis Valens, a spokesperson for both the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and FedEx, no injuries were reported. The fire was contained to the engine. Audio from LiveATC captured a chilling moment when a voice urged, “Shut down for a possible bird strike,” before confirming, “We need to return to the airport.” Moments later, another voice added, “We believe we saw their engine fall off the right wing.”
A FedEx representative confirmed to The Post that the plane landed safely at 8:07 a.m., just nine minutes after takeoff. The representative stated, “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 plane was cleared to depart for Indiana at 9:30 a.m., according to FlightAware, with the Federal Aviation Administration noting that the bird strike had damaged one of the Boeing 767’s engines.
This incident is just one in a troubling string of aviation-related issues across the globe. On February 25, a Southwest Airlines plane narrowly avoided a collision with a private jet on the runway at Chicago Midway Airport when the jet veered into its path. The previous day, on February 24, a Delta Air Lines flight to South Carolina was forced to return to Atlanta after “haze” and smoke filled the cabin. Additionally, a Canadian plane made headlines when it crash-landed, skidded, and ended up on its back, fortunately leaving all passengers alive but shaken.
Adding to the series of unsettling events was the tragic Black Hawk helicopter collision over the Potomac River, which involved a commercial plane and claimed the lives of 67 people, including many children, young competitive figure skaters, and their coaches.
These incidents have reignited concerns over air travel safety, especially as bird strikes seem to be occurring more frequently, sparking widespread questions about why this issue is on the rise.
