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.