A FedEx cargo plane en route from Newark to Indianapolis caught fire mid-air after colliding with a bird during takeoff on Saturday morning, prompting an emergency landing, officials said.
FedEx Flight 3609 struck a bird shortly after departure, causing damage to one of its Boeing 767 engines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed in a statement. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the aircraft’s engine on fire while airborne.
The crew declared an emergency, and the plane safely returned to Newark Liberty International Airport at approximately 8:07 a.m., according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. No injuries were reported.
“Our crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark,” FedEx said in a statement to NBC News. “We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders.”
The aircraft remained disabled on a runway following the incident, and the FAA has launched an investigation.
The FedEx bird strike incident comes amid a series of aviation emergencies making headlines this week.
Earlier this week, a **Delta Air Lines flight** bound for Atlanta was forced to return after the crew reported “possible smoke” in the cabin.
In another incident, an **American Airlines flight** from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome after a bomb threat was issued against the aircraft.
Additionally, a **Delta flight to Australia** returned to Los Angeles International Airport a day earlier when smoke was detected in its galley.
The FAA continues to monitor and investigate these recent aviation incidents as part of broader safety oversight efforts.
