A bird strike caused the engine of an American Airlines flight to catch fire, forcing pilots to return to the airport.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning, when American Airlines Flight 1958 had departed from Columbus to Phoenix before a crew member reported the strike.
The mid-air scare was caught on video, where the plane’s engine can be seen shooting flames. The pilot can also be heard on the plane’s telecommunications radio.
@FAANews I just saw AA1958 with major engine issues just after take off. Flames shooting from the engine and wonky, pulsing noises from the aircraft.
— CBUS4LIFE (@Cbus4Life) April 23, 2023
“That is affirmative, we uh lost the number two engine on the bird strike with high vibration,” the pilot is heard saying.
The Boeing 737-800, which was carrying 173 passengers and crew, later turned back safely. Thankfully, no one was reportedly injured in the incident.
“The flight landed normally and taxied safely to the gate under its own power,” American Airlines said in a statement. “The aircraft was taken out of service for maintenance and our team is working to get customers back on their way to PHX. Safety is our top priority and we thank our customers for their understanding.”
The John Glenn Columbus International Airport was also only shut down for a few minutes while the plane returned for the emergency landing.
“Emergency crews responded to an aircraft incident at CMH this morning involving a reported engine fire,” the airport said in a statement. “The aircraft landed safely and the airport is open and operational.”
One of the passengers told reporters that they could hear “people on the plane crying” after the engine went up in flames.
“My heart just broke honestly for so many people on this plane, I could hear them crying and I just wanted us all to be okay,” the passenger said.
The incident is currently being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Reports of birds striking aircraft have been common since the 2009 Miracle on the Hudson incident, where a US Airways jet with 155 people aboard hit a flock of Canada geese in New York. Everyone on board the plane survived after now-famous pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger expertly navigated it into the Hudson River.