A FedEx cargo aircraft was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on March 1, 2025, after striking a bird shortly after takeoff.
Videos circulating on social media captured the intense moment, showing flames erupting from the right engine as the aircraft made its way back to the airport. Despite the dramatic scene, no injuries were reported.
Shortly after departure, the aircraft collided with a bird, leading to a fire in the right (#2) engine. The crew immediately declared an emergency and opted to return to Newark, executing a successful landing just nine minutes after takeoff.
The incident involved a Boeing 767-3S2F, registered as N178FE, which was operating FedEx Flight 3609 on a scheduled domestic route to Indianapolis International Airport (IND).
A FedEx spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating,
“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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the extent of the damage and assess any necessary safety measures.
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’
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