FedEx Flight 3609 Returns Safely After Bird Strike Causes Engine Fire
Newark, New Jersey – On March 1, 2025, a FedEx cargo aircraft, Flight 3609, encountered a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), resulting in an engine fire. The Boeing 767-3S2F, en route to Indianapolis International Airport (IND), safely returned to Newark approximately nine minutes after departure.
Incident Details:
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Flight Information: FedEx Flight 3609, operated by a Boeing 767-3S2F registered as N178FE, departed Newark at 7:58 a.m. on March 1, 2025, bound for Indianapolis.
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Bird Strike and Engine Fire: Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a bird, leading to a fire in the number two engine. The crew declared an emergency and initiated a return to Newark.
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Emergency Landing: The aircraft landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport at 8:07 a.m., with no injuries reported among the three crew members on board.
Official Statements:
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FedEx: A FedEx spokesperson confirmed the bird strike during takeoff and praised the crew’s quick actions, stating, “We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders.”
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FAA and NTSB: Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated investigations into the incident.
Bird Strike Statistics:
According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, there were over 19,000 bird strikes in 2023, marking a 14% increase from 2022. Approximately 65% of these incidents occur during takeoff or landing, with around 5% resulting in aircraft damage.
