A preliminary report released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has indicated that the fiery landing of a FedEx cargo plane at Newark Liberty International Airport in March was caused by birds being sucked into both of the aircraft’s engines.
The report details that on March 1, FedEx flight 3609, a Boeing 767-300F en route from Newark to Indianapolis International Airport, encountered a flock of birds shortly after takeoff. While the first officer was piloting the aircraft at approximately 500 feet, three white birds were observed, prompting the “birds” callout. Immediately following this, the pilots reported hearing an “abrupt bang,” accompanied by moderate to severe vibrations throughout the plane.
Cockpit indicators signaled a fire, and air traffic control confirmed visible flames emanating from the right engine. The pilots declared an emergency, shut down the affected engine, and initiated a return to Newark airport, according to the NTSB. The aircraft subsequently landed safely, and the two pilots and one passenger, who was also a pilot, sustained no injuries.
The preliminary NTSB investigation revealed the presence of bird remains in both jet engines. The right engine, which had caught fire, sustained a broken fan blade. Additionally, a section of the exhaust system detached from the right engine and was recovered in a grassy area adjacent to I-95, near the flight path.
The NTSB emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with a comprehensive final report expected to be issued within approximately one year.
While bird strikes are a relatively common occurrence in aviation, the extent of damage can vary significantly. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration’s wildlife strike database shows that Newark airport recorded 137 instances of wildlife being struck by aircraft in 2024.
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