On March 1, 2025, a FedEx cargo plane, specifically a Boeing 767 (Reg. N178FE), encountered a harrowing incident shortly after departing from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The aircraft, identified as FedEx Flight FX3609, was en route to Indianapolis when it suffered a bird strike that led to an engine fire, forcing the crew to declare an emergency and return to the airport. The plane took off at approximately 7:58 a.m. Eastern Time and landed safely back at Newark just nine minutes later, around 8:07 a.m., demonstrating the swift response of the flight crew. Videos captured by onlookers showed flames emanating from the right engine as the plane maneuvered back to the runway, with fire rescue equipment quickly mobilized to assist. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew, and the fire remained confined to the affected engine, preventing a more catastrophic outcome.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both announced they will conduct thorough investigations into the incident. The FAA, responsible for regulating aviation safety in the United States, stated that the bird strike caused significant damage to one of the Boeing 767’s engines, triggering the fire. This prompted immediate action to assess the circumstances surrounding the event. The NTSB, an independent agency tasked with investigating transportation accidents and determining their probable causes, echoed the FAA’s commitment to a detailed probe. Together, these agencies will examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, the crew’s response, and environmental factors—such as the presence of birds near the airport—that may have contributed to the incident.
The emergency landing occurred amidst heightened public scrutiny of aviation safety following a series of recent incidents in 2025 that raised concerns. Just over a month prior, on January 29, a midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter over Washington, D.C., resulted in significant loss of life, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent U.S. history. While the FedEx incident differs in nature and outcome, it underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of air travel, particularly at busy airports like Newark, which serves as a major hub for both passenger and cargo operations. The plane, now disabled on a runway, has prompted temporary operational adjustments at the airport as authorities work to clear the scene and investigate.
FedEx issued a statement acknowledging the incident, emphasizing the crew’s effective handling of the situation. The company noted that the aircraft “declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark after dealing with the resulting engine damage,” expressing gratitude for the quick actions of both the crew and first responders. The Boeing 767 involved is a widely used model in the cargo industry, known for its reliability, though bird strikes remain a persistent risk in aviation, especially during takeoff and landing phases when aircraft are at lower altitudes. The investigations by the FAA and NTSB will likely focus on whether existing wildlife mitigation measures at Newark were adequate and if any mechanical vulnerabilities in the engine exacerbated the damage. As the inquiries unfold, preliminary findings are expected within weeks, though a comprehensive report from the NTSB could take months or even a year to complete, consistent with the agency’s meticulous process. The outcomes of these investigations may lead to recommendations for improved safety protocols, potentially influencing airport operations, aircraft design, or crew training nationwide. For now, the successful emergency landing stands as a testament to the preparedness of the FedEx crew, while the incident serves as a reminder of the complex interplay of factors that aviation authorities must continually address to keep the skies safe.