A FedEx cargo plane faced a terrifying emergency when it collided with a flock of birds mid-air, causing a fire in the right engine. The plane made an urgent landing at Newark Liberty International Airport with flames still visible upon touchdown. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Details & Context

- What Happened: A FedEx cargo plane, en route to Indianapolis, struck a flock of birds while flying over New Jersey, sparking a fire in its right engine.

- Location: The incident took place near Newark Liberty International Airport.

- Emergency Landing: Despite the fire, the skilled pilot managed to safely land the plane at the airport.

- Passengers & Crew: There were three crew members on board, all of whom remained unharmed.

- Fire Aftermath: Videos circulating on social media show the plane’s engine engulfed in flames even after landing, causing a brief suspension of airport operations.

Quotes

- According to an air traffic control recording, one of the crew members reported, “The plane hit a flock of birds and the right engine is on fire. We need an emergency landing.”

- Another observer stated, “We saw the engine on the right wing fall apart mid-air.”

Additional Information

- FedEx confirmed the plane was on its way to Indianapolis when the accident occurred.

- Airport authorities swiftly contained the fire, although thick smoke temporarily enveloped the runway.

- FedEx spokesperson Austin Kemkar praised the pilot’s quick thinking and skill for averting a major disaster.

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Impact Analysis

- Bird Strike Incidents: This is not the first bird strike incident in the US. In 2009, a plane collided with a flock of birds and crash-landed in the Hudson River.

- Rising Numbers: Reports show nearly 19,000 bird strike incidents occurred in 2023 alone.

- Recent Accidents: The event adds to a series of recent aviation accidents in the US, including a plane crash in Alaska on February 6th, killing 10 people and a mid-air collision between a plane and a military helicopter on January 26th, claiming 67 lives.

The recent bird strike and subsequent fire highlight the ongoing risk wildlife poses to aviation. While the FedEx crew managed a safe landing, the rising trend of such incidents raises serious safety concerns for the airline industry.

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