Birds strike causes fiery emergency landing of FedEx plane
- On March 1, 2024, birds were sucked into both engines of FedEx flight 3609 while flying out of Newark.
- The pilots experienced engine vibrations and fire indications after the bird strike, leading to an emergency landing.
- Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely with no reported injuries, but an investigation into the event is ongoing.
In March 2024, a significant bird strike incident occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States involving a FedEx flight, specifically FedEx flight 3609, which is a Boeing 767-300F. The aircraft took off from Newark and was en route to Indianapolis International Airport. During the ascent, as the first officer piloted the plane, he noticed three white birds at approximately 500 feet altitude and alerted the cockpit by calling out 'birds.' Moments later, the crew experienced an abrupt bang, followed by moderate to severe vibrations, indicating immediate trouble. Fire indicators illuminated in the cockpit, and air traffic control on the ground observed flames erupting from the right engine of the plane. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the pilots declared an emergency, promptly shutting down the affected engine while executing a turn to return to Newark for a safe landing. Fortunately, the aircraft landed without further incident, and all individuals onboard, including two pilots and a passenger who was also a pilot, were unharmed. Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of bird remains in both engines of the aircraft, while the right engine, which had ignited, was found to have suffered a broken fan blade and a fragmented section of the exhaust system, which was later discovered in a nearby grassy field along I-95, close to the flight's path. As investigations continued, authorities noted that bird strikes are not uncommon in aviation; however, the extent of damage resulting from these incidents can vary widely. In 2024 alone, there were recorded reports indicating 137 wildlife strikes at Newark airport, as recorded in the Federal Aviation Administration's wildlife strike database. The investigation into this particular event is ongoing, and a comprehensive report is expected to be released within approximately a year, allowing for a thorough understanding of the causes and potential preventive measures for future incidents.