DENVER, CO — A United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a suspected collision with a rabbit caused the aircraft’s engine to catch fire mid-flight, sending terrified passengers into a frenzy. The bizarre and frightening incident unfolded shortly after the Boeing 737 took off from Denver International Airport en route to Edmonton, Alberta.
According to initial reports and passenger accounts, the plane experienced a loud explosion followed by visible flames erupting from its right engine, prompting a mayday call from the cockpit and a rapid return to Denver.
The aircraft, carrying 159 passengers, had only just taken off when chaos ensued. Passenger Scott Wolff described the terrifying moment:
“There was a loud bang and a significant vibration in the plane, but we kept climbing. Then every few moments, there was a backfire from the engine—huge fireballs were coming out behind the wing. That’s when people began to panic.”
Footage captured inside the cabin shows passengers leaping from their seats to look out the windows, their faces filled with fear. Cries and screams echoed through the cabin as flames became visible trailing from the aircraft’s right wing. A woman’s voice is repeatedly heard alerting flight attendants about the fire, while distressed babies added to the growing tension onboard.
Separate video filmed from the ground captured the plane trailing a dark column of smoke across the sky, further confirming the seriousness of the engine failure.
Despite the terrifying scene, the flight crew managed to keep the situation under control for over an hour. The plane remained airborne for approximately 75 minutes, during which the right engine was eventually shut down following a mayday alert to air traffic control.
Audio later released from the cockpit captured the pilot’s calm yet startling transmission:
“Rabbit through the number two. That’ll do it alright.”
The aircraft made a safe emergency landing back at Denver International Airport, where emergency personnel were waiting on the tarmac. No injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely evacuated.
Investigators now believe the incident was caused by a rabbit that may have been struck during the plane’s high-speed acceleration on the runway, becoming lodged in the engine. While such animal collisions—commonly referred to as “wildlife strikes”—are more frequently associated with birds, ground-based animals such as rabbits and foxes have been known to cause mechanical damage in rare cases.
A United Airlines spokesperson issued a brief statement following the emergency landing:
“The aircraft returned to the gate, and we’ve lined up a new aircraft to get our customers on their way.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently reviewing the incident to determine the exact cause of the engine malfunction and evaluate whether wildlife hazards at Denver International Airport need to be addressed.
This bizarre midair emergency adds to a troubling series of recent aviation accidents that have left many travelers on edge.
Just days prior, six individuals—including an eight-year-old girl—lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash over the Hudson River. The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, their three children, and the pilot.
In another devastating incident, a private plane carrying a family of medical professionals crashed near Copake, New York. The aircraft was en route to the Catskills for a birthday and Passover celebration when it went down just 10 miles from its intended destination. Authorities later released disturbing footage of the wreckage strewn across a muddy field.
Though the United Airlines engine fire did not result in casualties, the dramatic events onboard and the unusual cause have reignited concerns over airline safety, maintenance protocols, and runway wildlife management.
As investigators piece together more information, passengers aboard Flight UA‑1401 are left with a harrowing story—and a renewed appreciation for the professionalism of the flight crew that brought them safely back to earth.
