A FedEx cargo plane, designated as Flight 3609, encountered a serious incident on Saturday morning when it struck a bird during takeoff from Newark Liberty International Airport, en route to Indianapolis. According to officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the collision occurred as the Boeing 767 was departing, resulting in damage to one of the aircraft's engines.
Videos that have surfaced on social media platform X depict the plane appearing to be on fire while airborne, raising concerns among viewers. Fortunately, the flight crew acted quickly, declaring an emergency and successfully executing an emergency landing back at Newark Liberty International Airport at around 8:07 a.m. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as confirmed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
In a statement to NBC News, FedEx expressed gratitude for the prompt actions of the flight crew and the first responders. "Our crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark," the statement read. The aircraft is currently disabled on a runway at the airport, and the FAA has initiated an investigation into the incident.
This incident with the FedEx cargo plane is not isolated, as it follows a series of recent aviation incidents that have captured public attention. Earlier this week, a Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Atlanta following reports from the crew of possible smoke within the aircraft. Additionally, an American Airlines flight traveling from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome due to a bomb threat made against the aircraft.
Moreover, the day prior, a Delta flight bound for Australia had to return to Los Angeles International Airport after smoke was detected in its galley. These occurrences underscore the importance of safety protocols in aviation and the swift response of airline crews in emergencies.
This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. For those interested in aviation safety, these incidents serve as a reminder of the potential challenges faced by commercial flights.
