A FedEx Express Boeing 767-3S2F cargo aircraft, with tail number N178FE, was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday morning after suffering a bird strike that caused an engine fire visible to observers on the ground.
The incident occurred just after 8:00 a.m. local time when FedEx flight FX-3609, bound for Indianapolis, Indiana, encountered birds shortly after departing from Newark’s runway 22L. According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft was climbing through approximately 500 feet above ground level when birds were ingested into the right-hand CF6 engine.
Ground observers reported seeing large flames trailing from the aircraft’s right engine as it flew overhead. In air traffic control audio recorded by LiveATC, another aircraft crew mistakenly reported that they believed “the engine fell off the right wing,” which was later confirmed to be incorrect.
The three-person FedEx crew handled the emergency with remarkable professionalism, immediately declaring an emergency and stopping their climb at 2,000 feet. After shutting down the affected engine, they safely returned to land on Newark’s runway 22L approximately 8 minutes after departure.
“The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots was exemplary. We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders,” said FedEx spokesperson Austin Kemker in a statement reported by AP News.
Tower controllers advised the crew that the right engine was still emitting fire upon landing. After the aircraft came to a stop on the runway, the crew reported they had discharged both fire bottles into the engine following an engine fire indication. Emergency responders confirmed the engine remained on fire and proceeded to extinguish it with water.
The incident briefly disrupted operations at the busy airport, with all runways initially closed following the emergency. Runway 29 reopened approximately 15 minutes after the landing, while runways 22L and 22R remained closed longer for emergency operations.
A video footage showing the FedEx aircraft on the ground with flames still visible from the damaged engine as it came to a stop with emergency vehicles nearby was widely shared on social media platforms.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have both announced investigations into the incident. The FAA notes that bird strikes are an increasing aviation hazard, with more than 19,000 wildlife strikes reported at 713 U.S. airports in 2023 alone.
This emergency landing comes amid heightened public concern over aviation safety following several major aviation disasters in North America over the past month, including the February 6 crash of a commuter plane in Alaska and the January 26 midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight at National Airport.
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