Fire breaks out on FedEx flight 3609 after a bird strike on takeoff from Neward International Airport
According to FedEx, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine thrust and elevation, compelling our B767 crew to declare an emergency. Although no injuries were reported, the flight made an emergency landing back at Newark around 8 A.M.
Onboard the aircraft were three members of staff. Supporting details suggest a video circulating on X showed the aircraft ablaze midair.
A @FedEx Plane from @EWRairport had an engine blow right above Elizabeth, NJ. pic.twitter.com/MQEnqZlzCH
— jason (@jasvnalvar) March 1, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration indicate that as the aircraft was departing, Flight 3609 had a collision with a bird, which subsequently results in damage to one of the Boeing 767’s engines. On the other hand, officials from The Associated Press suggested that there was a bird strike on the aircraft, which was traveling from Newark to Indianapolis.
Despite the reports pointing to opposite directions, what we do know with certainty is the plane was indeed on fire.
Live ATC recordings provide a capturing dialogue between the flight’s crew and air traffic control, that come after the bird collision and right engine fire. “Tower, FedEx 3609, we have a possible bird strike on the right engine and we need to return back to the airport.” A person makes an observation.
And not long after, another person gives their view of the events, “I think I saw Flight 3609’s engine detach itself from the right wing.” Along with the rest of New York, Mike Bova explains the panic that came over New Yorkers. Bova was driving by Newark Airport when he witnessed the Fedex airplane engine on fire.
Bova decided to take a video, “We noticed that the airplane was heading upwards, and it appeared to be quite unstable, followed by a large object plummeting to the ground.” Harris was accompanied by relatives, and explained that they all became crazed.
It was at that moment when the video began to play. And from the footage, it can be concluded that emergency response teams dealt with the aircraft after it landed safely at the airport.
“We thought it was a passenger plane,” he told the reporters. “In our minds, we were thinking, Drawn to the destination of the aircraft. Hopefully nothing happens to the people on board. Trying to cater to the best wishes etc.’ That was the simplest moment of our life.”
“I have a readiness plan, and my plan includes the ability to land the aircraft with one engine disabled,” John Cox said. “That situation is planned and trained for.” As an aviation safety expert, John Cox has made a statement regarding Boeing 767 aircraft that they are certified to fly on a single engine until it runs out to put fuel.
“Now it is like any other mechanical failure of an engine, you are down to a single engine operations,” Cox added during his interview with NBC News. “There are plans that accompanies that for that, and it has been trained for and it is a safe landing.” he further added.
According to FAA, the aircraft is inoperative on the runway of the airport, together with FAA, National Transport Safety board is investigating the case. Bizarre Incidents have occurred in the previous weeks that includes an American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi that got diverted at Rome due to a bomb threat on the aircraft.
For potential smoke reported in the cabin, a Delta air flight departed back to Atlanta where it put fuel.
A Delta flight to Australia had to return to Los Angeles International Airport the previous day after smoke was noticed in the aircraft’s galley.
Cox mentioned that while these incidents have impacted certain passengers when it comes to anxiety levels, “airplanes are still the safest form of transportation ever designed by humankind.”
“In terms of vehicles, we’re going to lose 44,000 people on the roads this year. We won’t have anywhere near that, well, I don’t think any of us are going to have problems concerning an airplane,” he added. “The facts are clear, the most dangerous part of any flight for a passenger is the drive to and from the airport.”
