A United Airlines flight made an emergency landing after a fire apparently captivated by a rabbit that was absorbed by one of its engines before takeoff over the weekend.
The dramatic video showed repeated flash flash from one of United Flight 2325 engines shortly after he left Denver’s International Airport on his way to Edmonton, Canada.
The flight crew can be heard in Liveatc Audio requesting that the plane be inspected for a fire in the engine, which the pilot confirmed that it was caused by a rabbit strike.
“Rabbit through number 2 [engine]that will do that, “said the pilot, according to ABC News.
The passenger Scott Wolff told “Good Morning America” that I make a “strong blow” after the unfortunate bunny was presented by the turbine, followed by “significant vibration on the plane” as it continued as a center.
“Every moment there was a setback from the engine, a giant fireball behind it,” he said.
“Everyone on the plane began to panic.”
The flight, which transported 153 passengers and six crew, landed safely at Denver around 8:05 pm, said Federal Aviation Administration to The Outlet. Then, the passengers were fine on a different plane and continued with Edmonton.
“Our Denver flight to Edmonton (UA2325) returned safely to Denver to address a possible wildlife strike,” United in a statement.
FAA reported more than 20,000 wildlife attacks of airplanes only in 2024, most of them birds. Only four rabbit strikes were reported in that period of time.
