A FedEx cargo plane made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday morning after a bird strike caused its right engine to catch fire shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 767-3S2F had departed around 8 am when flames erupted from the engine. Video footage captured the intense scene as the aircraft returned to the tarmac with fire visible from the wing, while emergency teams rushed to extinguish it. The plane landed safely at 8:07 am, and no injuries were reported among the three people onboard, according to the Associated Press. Both the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and FedEx confirmed that the fire resulted from a bird strike. “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. A LiveATC recording revealed the flight crew’s communication with air traffic control, during which they reported a possible bird strike and the need to return to the airport. Another observer claimed to have seen what appeared to be the engine detaching from the right wing, NBC News reported. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the incident. After inspection, the aircraft was cleared to continue its journey to Indianapolis at 9:30 am. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised the pilots’ quick thinking in ensuring a safe landing despite the engine fire, according to Reuters. Air traffic at Newark was temporarily halted but resumed shortly after.
