A FedEx freighter was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday morning after a bird strike caused an engine fire shortly after takeoff.
The Boeing 767-300F, bound for Indianapolis, successfully returned to Newark (EWR), and the incident resulted in no injuries.
FedEx flight FX3609, operated by a Boeing 767-300F freighter, took off from runway 22L Newark around 7:58 a.m. local time. Shortly afterwards, a flock of birds collided with the aircraft, causing significant damage to the right engine.
FedEx FX3609 Newark-Indianapolis
The impact of the bird strike led to an immediate engine fire, prompting the pilots to declare an emergency. The climb procedure was terminated at 2,000 feet and a direct return to the departure airport was conducted.
Video footage and ground witnesses reported trails of flame emanating from the aircraft’s number 2 (right hand) engine as it passed overhead.
Flight data confirms the aircraft landed safely at 8:07 am local time, around nine minutes after take-off.
Emergency services were on standby and quickly extinguished the flames upon the plane’s arrival. The quick response of the airport’s fire department prevented further escalation of the situation.
Speaking to the New York Post, a FedEx spokesperson confirmed the after-takeoff incident. “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,” the spokesperson concluded.
The incident caused a brief disruption to air traffic at Newark, with some delays experienced as a precautionary measure. However, normal operations resumed shortly after the plane was safely on the ground and the fire was contained.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft conducting the FX3609 service to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) was a Boeing 767-300F, registered N178FE. This is a 5.6 year old freighter aircraft belonging to the carrier FedEx Express.
It has been in operational service with the carrier since August 2019.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the FedEx emergency landing to determine the precise sequence of events and to analyze the extent of the damage. Bird strikes, while relatively common, can pose significant risks to aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing.
The NTSB’s investigation will focus on the specific circumstances of the bird strike, the effectiveness of the aircraft’s fire suppression systems, and the actions taken by the flight crew.
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