Denver, Colorado – A United Airlines Boeing 737-800 encountered a fiery incident upon hitting an animal during takeoff from Denver International Airport, as shown in dramatic footage captured on Sunday. The plane, carrying 153 passengers and six crew members on board, was en route to Edmonton, Canada when the incident occurred.
Air traffic control audio recordings revealed the moment when the pilots were warned about a burst of flames coming out of the right engine. The pilots confirmed the loss of the right motor after the collision with an animal. While the Federal Aviation Administration did not specify the type of animal, reports indicated that rabbits were seen on the runway at the time.
Following the collision, multiple pilots were warned about potential rabbit activity on the runway, with one pilot joking about being bigger than the rabbits. However, for United Flight 2325, the situation took a serious turn as the pilots declared an emergency due to fire on the wing and announced plans to return to the airport.
Emergency response teams, including fire trucks, were dispatched to the scene as a precautionary measure. The pilots requested a thorough inspection of the plane to ensure there was no fire in critical areas. Ultimately, the aircraft safely taxied to the gate, and passengers were transferred to a new plane for their journey to Edmonton.
Data from the FAA’s Wildlife Strike Database revealed that Denver International Airport experienced over 800 wildlife collisions last year, predominantly involving birds such as bald eagles, owls, larks, and mallards. However, incidents with animals like prairie dogs, bats, coyotes, and rabbits were also recorded.
The event underscores the ongoing challenge of wildlife strikes at airports and the importance of effective wildlife management strategies to ensure passenger safety during flight operations.