A FedEx cargo plane made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday due to a bird strike that caused an engine fire. The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft took off for New York Times, with the plane returning safely to the tarmac at around 8:07 a.m., just nine minutes after take-off. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the three people on board.

According to Newsweek, the aircraft, identified as FedEx Flight 3609, encountered a bird strike shortly after liftoff, which resulted in damage to one of its Boeing 767 engines. The South China Morning Post reported that the pilots declared an emergency shortly after the strike, leading to a rapid return to Newark.

A spokesperson from FedEx emphasized the crew's professionalism and quick response, stating, “The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots was exemplary. We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders.” The fire was reportedly contained to the engine, and operations at Newark Airport resumed shortly after a temporary halt.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident, confirming that the bird strike caused substantial damage, yet it is noted that such emergencies are rare. Bird strikes have become a significant concern in aviation safety, with over 19,000 wildlife strikes reported in the U.S. in 2023 alone, according to CBS News.

In light of this recent event, the FAA highlighted the increased risks associated with bird strikes, which can lead to severe consequences. This incident comes amidst growing apprehension regarding flight safety, compounded by several other major aviation disasters that have occurred recently, including a tragic midair collision that resulted in the loss of 67 lives.

For further information, please refer to the original articles from NY Times, Newsweek, SCMP, HuffPost, and CBS News.