A FedEx cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport early Saturday morning after one of its engines caught fire shortly after takeoff. The dramatic incident unfolded around 8 a.m., alarming onlookers as flames erupted from the aircraft’s right engine.
Video footage captured the Boeing 767-3S2F returning swiftly to the tarmac, with flames visibly spewing from the engine. Emergency response teams at Newark Airport, including two fire trucks, rushed to the scene to contain the blaze as the aircraft landed safely.
According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and FedEx, the sudden engine fire was caused by a bird strike during takeoff.
“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,” a FedEx spokesperson stated.
The aircraft successfully landed at 8:07 a.m., just nine minutes after departure. While the extent of the engine damage remains unclear, the plane was cleared to continue its journey to Indianapolis at 9:30 a.m., according to flight tracking data from FlightAware. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew.
Air traffic at Newark Airport was briefly suspended as a precautionary measure but has since resumed normal operations.
This incident comes amid a series of recent air travel safety concerns. Earlier this week, a Southwest Airlines flight at Chicago Midway Airport narrowly avoided a runway collision with a private jet. Additionally, a Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Atlanta after smoke and haze filled the cabin, marking the second such occurrence in consecutive days.
As investigations continue, aviation officials are emphasizing the importance of rapid emergency response and rigorous aircraft safety inspections to ensure passenger and crew safety in the wake of recent incidents