A FedEx cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday morning after a bird strike caused a fire in one of its engines. The Boeing 767-3S2F took off around 8 am, but just minutes later, flames erupted from its right engine.

Footage showed the aircraft racing back to the tarmac with fire spewing from the wing as emergency crews rushed to put it out. The plane landed safely at 8:07 am, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. No injuries were reported, and three people were onboard.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, along with FedEx, attributed the sudden ignition to a bird hitting the plane. “FedEx Flight 3609 from Newark to Indianapolis experienced a bird strike during takeoff. Our crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark. We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders,” a FedEx spokesperson said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised the pilots for their quick thinking. “Video from the incident shows the quick-thinking pilots returning the plane to land safely while the engine is on fire,” he said.

The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the skill of pilots in responding to unexpected situations.