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FDX3609 Bird Strike Engine Fire Departing KEWR
FedEx cargo jet suffers bird strike and engine fire departing Newark, returning for emergency landing.
Summary
A FedEx "Heavy" cargo aircraft struck birds shortly after departing Newark Liberty International Airport, resulting in a right engine failure and fire. The crew declared an emergency and successfully returned to the airfield, while ground observers reported seeing engine components fall from the aircraft. Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) met the aircraft on the runway to extinguish the persistent fire.
Analysis
The incident began immediately following FedEx 3609's departure from Newark (KEWR) Runway 22 Left. As the aircraft climbed through approximately 500 to 800 feet, it encountered a flock of birds that caused catastrophic damage to the right engine. The severity of the strike was immediately apparent to other pilots in the vicinity; a Spirit Airlines crew reported seeing pieces of the engine falling to the ground. This suggests a highly energetic failure, potentially involving the shedding of cowling or internal components.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) demonstrated high-level coordination by immediately clearing the Newark airspace. Several aircraft on the "Stadium Visual" approach were ordered to cancel their landing clearances and climb to 3,000 feet to make room for the emergency return. This is a complex maneuver in the congested New York terminal area, requiring the controller to manage multiple "go-arounds" simultaneously while providing the FedEx crew with a clear path back to the runway.
A notable moment of tension occurred during the final approach when the Tower controller initially informed the crew that no fire was visible, only to quickly correct themselves as the aircraft got closer, confirming that the right engine was indeed emitting smoke and flames. This discrepancy is common in aviation emergencies, as fire can be intermittent or obscured by the aircraft's fuselage depending on the viewing angle.
Upon landing, the FedEx crew stopped the aircraft on the runway—a standard procedure for suspected fires to allow immediate intervention by ARFF. The pilots reported that they had "blown both bottles," referring to the two fire extinguishing canisters located in the engine nacelle, yet the fire indication persisted until touchdown. The recording concludes with a professional exchange between the pilots and the Fire Chief ("Rescue") as they coordinate "sudsing" the engine with foam to ensure the fire is fully suppressed before deciding whether to evacuate or be towed.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, winds 210 at 4, runway 22 Left at Whiskey, cleared for takeoff.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, you're a heavy jet, the wind is coming from the southwest at 4 knots. From the intersection of taxiway Whiskey on runway 22 Left, you are cleared for takeoff.
PILOT
22 Left at Whiskey, cleared for takeoff, FedEx 3609 Heavy.
PILOT
Takeoff from 22 Left at Whiskey, we're cleared to go, FedEx 3609 Heavy.
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, contact departure. Good day.
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, switch over to the departure controllers now. Have a good flight.
PILOT
FedEx 3609 Heavy, switching. So long.
PILOT
FedEx 3609 Heavy, switching frequencies now. Take care.
UNITED 2414
Newark Tower, United 2414, coming up to—
UNITED 2414
Newark Tower, this is United 2414, we're approaching—
PILOT
Tower, we're staying with you. FedEx 3609.
PILOT
Tower, we're staying on this frequency with you. FedEx 3609.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, go ahead.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, go ahead, tell me what's happening.
PILOT
FedEx 3609, just had a bird strike. We're declaring an emergency, returning to the airfield.
PILOT
FedEx 3609, we just hit a bird. We are declaring an emergency and returning to the airport to land immediately.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, Roger. Contact Departure on 128.55. I'll let them know.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, understood. Switch to the departure controllers on frequency 128.55 and I'll inform them of your emergency.
TOWER
Jazz 872, cancel landing clearance. Turn left, turn left and climb.
TOWER
Jazz 872, your permission to land is cancelled. Abort your landing, turn left immediately, and start climbing.
JAZZ 872
Turn left and climb, Jazz 872.
JAZZ 872
Turning left and climbing, Jazz 872.
SPIRIT 341
Spirit 341, need to get off the runway.
SPIRIT 341
Spirit 341, we need to get off this runway right now.
TOWER
Spirit 341, make quick left turns off the runway at Mike, Alpha Sierra toward Mike.
TOWER
Spirit 341, make quick left turns to get off the runway at taxiway Mike, then take Alpha Sierra toward Mike.
SPIRIT 341
Mike, Papa, short of Whiskey, Spirit 341.
SPIRIT 341
Heading to Mike, then Papa, and stopping just before Whiskey, Spirit 341.
TOWER
I'm sorry, right turn Mike, right turn Papa, short of Whiskey.
TOWER
I'm sorry, I meant make a right turn at Mike, then a right turn at Papa, and stop just before taxiway Whiskey.
SPIRIT 341
Mike, Papa, short of Whiskey, Spirit 341.
SPIRIT 341
Spirit 341 is at the intersection of taxiways Mike and Papa, holding just short of taxiway Whiskey.
TOWER
Jazz 872, fly heading 220, maintain 3,000.
TOWER
Jazz 872, turn to a southwest heading of 220 and stay at 3,000 feet.
JAZZ 872
Heading 220, 3,000, Jazz 872.
JAZZ 872
Turning to 220 and holding 3,000 feet, Jazz 872.
UNITED 2414
Tower, United 2414 with you on the Stadium Visual 29.
UNITED 2414
Tower, United 2414 checking in, we’re following the stadium landmark approach for runway 29.
PILOT
Tower, FedEx 3609. We have the right engine shut down for a possible bird strike. We need to return to the airport.
PILOT
Tower, this is FedEx 3609. We’ve had to shut down our right engine after a possible bird strike. We need to return to the airport immediately.
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, have you called Departure on 128.55?
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, have you contacted the departure controllers on their frequency of 128.55 yet?
PILOT
We'll flip to them and then we'll be back in a minute.
PILOT
We’ll switch over to them now and then we’ll be back with you in a minute.
SPIRIT 210
Newark Tower, Spirit 210 on the Stadium Visual 29.
SPIRIT 210
Newark Tower, Spirit 210 is here, flying the stadium landmark approach for runway 29.
TOWER
United 2414, cancel landing clearance. Fly heading 220. Fly 220 and climb and maintain 3,000.
TOWER
United 2414, abort your landing. Turn to heading 220. Fly 220, climb up, and stay at 3,000 feet.
UNITED 2414
Heading 220, climb and maintain 3,000, cancel landing clearance, United 2414.
UNITED 2414
Turning to 220, climbing to 3,000, and canceling our landing, United 2414.
SPIRIT 341
Tower, Spirit 341. We believe we saw their engine fall off the right wing.
SPIRIT 341
Tower, Spirit 341. We think we just saw their engine fall completely off the right wing.
TOWER
Spirit 210, Newark Tower, you on?
TOWER
Spirit 210, Newark Tower, are you on this frequency?
SPIRIT 210
Yeah, we checked in on the Stadium Visual 29.
SPIRIT 210
Yeah, we’re here, we checked in on the stadium landmark approach for runway 29.
TOWER
Spirit 210, cancel your approach clearance. Turn right heading 290, climb and maintain 3,000.
TOWER
Spirit 210, abort your approach. Turn right to heading 290, climb up, and stay at 3,000 feet.
SPIRIT 210
290 up to 3,000, Spirit 210.
SPIRIT 210
Turning to 290 and climbing to 3,000 feet, Spirit 210.
TOWER
Jazz 872, contact Departure 128.55.
TOWER
Jazz 872, switch over and talk to the departure controllers on frequency 128.55.
JAZZ 872
128.55, Jazz 872.
JAZZ 872
Over to 128.55, Jazz 872.
TOWER
United 2414, contact Departure 128.55.
TOWER
United 2414, please contact the departure controllers on 128.55.
UNITED 2414
128.55, good day, United 2414.
UNITED 2414
128.55, have a good day, United 2414.
TOWER
Spirit 210, expedite your climb to 3,000, please.
TOWER
Spirit 210, please hurry up your climb to 3,000 feet.
SPIRIT 210
Expediting, Spirit 210.
SPIRIT 210
Climbing faster now, Spirit 210.
TOWER
Spirit 210, contact Departure 128.55.
TOWER
Spirit 210, switch over to departure control on 128.55.
SPIRIT 210
128.55, Spirit 210.
SPIRIT 210
Switching to 128.55, Spirit 210.
PILOT
Departure, FedEx 3609 Heavy, emergency.
PILOT
Departure, this is FedEx flight 3609, we're a large aircraft and we have an emergency.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, go ahead.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609, I hear you, tell me what you need.
PILOT
We just hit a bird on takeoff. Need to return to Newark.
PILOT
We just hit a bird right as we took off. We need to turn around and get back to Newark immediately.
DEPARTURE
Roger. Do you have the airport in sight?
DEPARTURE
Understood. Can you see the airport from your current position?
PILOT
Standby. We'll take a vector for back to 22 Left.
PILOT
Wait one second. We'd like you to give us steering directions to get back to runway 22 Left.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, you want the ILS runway 22 Left?
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609, do you want to use the instrument landing system guidance for runway 22 Left?
PILOT
Correct.
PILOT
That’s correct.
DEPARTURE
Okay, fly heading 030, maintain 2,000, speed your discretion.
DEPARTURE
Okay, fly toward the northeast at zero-three-zero degrees, stay at two thousand feet, and fly at whatever speed you need.
PILOT
030 heading and speed our discretion, FedEx 3609 Heavy.
PILOT
Northeast at zero-three-zero and picking our own speed, this is the heavy FedEx cargo flight thirty-six-zero-nine.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, if able, maintain 2,000 for the approach. It'll be the ILS 22 Left. Information Echo is current.
DEPARTURE
FedEx cargo thirty-six-zero-nine, if you can, stay at two thousand feet for your landing path. You'll be using the instrument guidance for runway twenty-two left. The latest weather update, Echo, is still accurate.
PILOT
22 Left, copy.
PILOT
Runway twenty-two left, we understand.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, turn right heading 070. Are you ready to come in now?
DEPARTURE
FedEx cargo thirty-six-zero-nine, turn right toward the east at zero-seven-zero degrees. Are you ready to head for the runway now?
PILOT
Correct for FedEx 3609 Heavy.
PILOT
That’s right, for FedEx thirty-six-zero-nine.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, speed your discretion, heading 090.
DEPARTURE
FedEx cargo thirty-six-zero-nine, fly whatever speed you want, heading due east at zero-nine-zero.
PILOT
090 heading for FedEx 3609 Heavy, speed our discretion.
PILOT
Due east at zero-nine-zero for FedEx thirty-six-zero-nine, and we’ll manage our own speed.
DEPARTURE
Roger. Do you want a short approach? FedEx 3609 Heavy, further right heading 160.
DEPARTURE
Understood. Do you want to take a quick, tight turn to the runway? FedEx cargo thirty-six-zero-nine, turn further right toward the south at one-six-zero degrees.
PILOT
160, FedEx 3609 Heavy.
PILOT
Turning to one-six-zero, FedEx thirty-six-zero-nine.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, fly heading 180 if able. Give me the souls on board.
DEPARTURE
FedEx cargo thirty-six-zero-nine, fly straight south at one-eight-zero degrees if you can. Tell me how many people are on the plane.
PILOT
180 heading, three souls on board and plenty of fuel. FedEx 3609 Heavy is 180.
PILOT
South at one-eight-zero, three people on board and we have plenty of fuel. FedEx thirty-six-zero-nine is turning south.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, four miles from BUZZ, heading 190, 2,000 until established. Cleared ILS runway 22 Left approach.
DEPARTURE
FedEx cargo thirty-six-zero-nine, you’re four miles from the BUZZ navigation point, turn to one-nine-zero, stay at two thousand feet until you're lined up with the path. You’re authorized to use the instrument landing system for runway twenty-two left.
PILOT
Cleared 22 Left approach, FedEx 3609 Heavy, 2,000 feet.
PILOT
Authorized for the runway twenty-two left landing, FedEx thirty-six-zero-nine, holding at two thousand feet.
DEPARTURE
United 2414, United 887, and United 1309, expect the airport closure here and holding instructions shortly. Standby.
DEPARTURE
United flights twenty-four-fourteen, eight-eight-seven, and thirteen-zero-nine, expect the airport to close soon and I'll have instructions for you to circle and wait in a moment. Please wait.
UNITED 887
United 887.
UNITED 887
United 887, go ahead.
DEPARTURE
FedEx 3609 Heavy, I show you about to join in a mile. Contact Newark Tower 118.3.
DEPARTURE
Large FedEx flight 3609, you're about a mile from joining the landing path. Switch over to the Newark Tower controllers on frequency 118.3.
PILOT
18.3. Good day, thank you for the work.
PILOT
Switching to 118.3. Have a good one, thanks for the help today.
DEPARTURE
Good day.
DEPARTURE
Take care.
DEPARTURE
United 785 and Spirit 341, you might as well shut down. We might be a couple minutes.
DEPARTURE
United 785 and Spirit 341, you guys might as well turn off your engines. It’s going to be at least a few minutes before we can move you.
SPIRIT 341
Spirit 341.
SPIRIT 341
Spirit 341, understood.
CAR 99
Tower, Car 99.
CAR 99
Tower, this is the airport ground vehicle, Car 99.
TOWER
Car 99, Tower.
TOWER
Go ahead, Car 99, we hear you.
CAR 99
Newark, I'm at the north end of Papa, I'd like to enter 22 Left at Alpha 4. Need to do an inspection soon.
CAR 99
Newark Tower, I'm at the north end of the taxiway. I’d like to drive onto the main runway at the Alpha 4 intersection to check for debris immediately.
TOWER
Car 99, proceed onto runway 22 Left. The subject aircraft is on a 10-mile final.
TOWER
Car 99, you are cleared to drive onto the runway. The plane in question is about ten miles out on its final approach to land.
CAR 99
22 Left from Alpha 4. And Tower, pretty sure he hit it on the ascent, not on the runway.
CAR 99
Heading onto the runway at intersection Alpha 4. And Tower, I’m pretty sure he hit whatever it was while he was climbing, not while he was still on the runway.
TOWER
Roger, copy that.
TOWER
Understood, thanks for that information.
SPIRIT 341
Yeah, he was about 400 feet, and then something came off the engine probably about 500 or 600 feet; fell to the ground.
SPIRIT 341
Yeah, he was about 400 feet up, and then I saw a piece of the engine fall off at around 500 or 600 feet; it fell straight to the ground.
TOWER
Yeah, copy that. I think he had a bird strike and lost the right engine.
TOWER
I hear you. It looks like he hit a bird and his right engine has failed.
PILOT
Tower, FedEx 3609 emergency. Still indicating right engine fire. 22 Left.
PILOT
Tower, this is FedEx 3609, we have an emergency. Our instruments are still showing a fire in the right engine. We're heading for the main runway.
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, Newark Tower, continue inbound. Vehicle on the runway.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, this is Newark Tower. Keep coming in toward the airport. There is currently a vehicle on the runway.
PILOT
Okay. We'll be stopping on the runway, FedEx 3609 Heavy.
PILOT
Understood. We’re going to bring this large jet to a full stop right on the runway, FedEx 3609.
CAR 99
Tower, Car 99's off 22 Left. Nothing found.
CAR 99
Tower, this is Car 99, I’m clear of the main runway. I didn't find anything out there.
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, cleared to land runway 22 Left, wind 220 at 5. Will you be evacuating? FedEx 3609, no visible fire. It appears no visible fire or smoke coming from the right engine.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, you are authorized to land on the left runway. The wind is light. Are you planning to evacuate the crew? From my vantage point, I don't see any fire or smoke coming from your right engine.
PILOT
Copy, copy. Still stopping on the runway, FedEx 3609 Heavy.
PILOT
Got it, we hear you. We are still planning to stop the plane on the runway, FedEx 3609.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, Roger. FedEx 3609 Heavy, disregard my last. It does appear the right engine is emitting fire. FedEx 3609 Heavy, copy my last?
TOWER
FedEx 3609, understood. Actually, forget what I just said—it does look like your right engine is catching fire. FedEx 3609, did you copy that?
PILOT
Standby. All right, go ahead, 3609 Heavy.
PILOT
Just a second. Okay, go ahead with that, 3609.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, it does appear that there is smoke and fire from the right engine now.
TOWER
FedEx 3609, I can definitely see smoke and flames coming from your right engine now.
PILOT
Copy. FedEx 3609 Heavy, stopping on the runway.
PILOT
Understood. FedEx 3609 is stopping right here on the runway.
TOWER
Roger. 22 Left is closed.
TOWER
Received. That runway is now closed to all other aircraft.
UNITED 785
Roger, 22 Left closed.
UNITED 785
Got it, the runway is closed, United 785.
PILOT
FedEx 3609, parking brake set. We're running checklists, listening on frequency.
PILOT
FedEx 3609, the parking brake is set. We’re working through our emergency checklists and staying on this radio frequency.
TOWER
FedEx 3609 Heavy, Roger.
TOWER
Understood, FedEx 3609.
CAR 97
Tower, Car 97.
CAR 97
Tower, this is Car 97.
TOWER
Car 97, Tower.
TOWER
Go ahead, Car 97, this is the Tower.
CAR 97
North end of Papa, I'd like to enter 29 for inspection.
CAR 97
I'm at the north end of taxiway Papa, and I’d like to drive onto runway 29 to inspect the pavement.
TOWER
Car 97, enter runway 29, you said?
TOWER
Car 97, did you say you want to enter runway 29?
CAR 97
Affirmative, just to make sure nothing hit over there.
CAR 97
That’s correct, I just want to make sure no debris hit the ground over there.
TOWER
Car 97, enter runway 29.
TOWER
Car 97, you are cleared to drive onto runway 29.
CAR 97
Car 97.
CAR 97
Car 97, moving on.
PILOT
And Tower, is the Fire Chief on the radio here?
PILOT
And Tower, is the Fire Chief listening on this radio frequency?
TOWER
Yes sir, he's listening. All we see is smoke coming from the affected area now.
TOWER
Yes sir, he’s listening. From the tower, all we can see is smoke coming from the damaged area now.
PILOT
Okay. Fire Chief, this is FedEx 3609.
PILOT
Understood. Fire Chief, this is the pilot of FedEx flight 3609.
TOWER
Truck 1, are you on?
TOWER
Rescue Truck 1, are you on this channel?
RESCUE
Looks like he's talking, but he's not on. FedEx, from Rescue.
RESCUE
It looks like he’s trying to talk but his radio isn't transmitting here. FedEx, this is the Rescue team responding.
PILOT
Yeah, Rescue from FedEx.
PILOT
Copy that, Rescue, this is FedEx.
RESCUE
You guys stepped on each other. Say again: did you blow bottles?
RESCUE
You guys transmitted at the same time and blocked each other. Say again: did you discharge your fire extinguishers?
PILOT
Yeah, we blew both bottles on the right engine, and we had a fire indication all the way down until landing.
PILOT
Yes, we fired both extinguisher canisters into the right engine, and the fire warning light stayed on the whole way down until we touched down.
RESCUE
That's affirmative, you still do. We're going to put some water on it.
RESCUE
That’s confirmed, the fire is still visible. We’re going to start spraying water on it immediately.
PILOT
Okay. Would you recommend that we get out, or—?
PILOT
Okay. Do you recommend that we evacuate the aircraft now, or—?
RESCUE
Rescue to FedEx: we're going to start sudsing you up. We will set up on the L1 side, firm?
RESCUE
Rescue to FedEx: we're about to start spraying the fire-suppressing foam on the plane. We'll set up by the front left door, sound good?
PILOT
Copy that. We're going to shut the other engine down, and we have the APU running just to keep contact.
PILOT
Understood. We're turning off the remaining engine now, but keeping our backup power generator running so we can stay in touch with you.
RESCUE
Copy.
RESCUE
Got it.
PILOT
Tower, this is FedEx 3609. Great work, guys.
PILOT
Tower, this is the FedEx crew. You guys did an incredible job helping us down.
TOWER
Thank you. You guys okay?
TOWER
You're welcome. Are you all alright over there?
PILOT
Right now, we're standing by.
PILOT
For now, we're just waiting for further instructions.
CAR 93
And Tower, Car 93 is off of 29.
CAR 93
And Tower, this is the ground vehicle, Car 93; we've cleared the runway.
TOWER
Car 93, Roger. And just so you know, right now we're closed for inspection, so all runways are basically closed.
TOWER
Understood, Car 93. Just a heads up, the whole airport is shut down for safety inspections right now, so no one is using any of the runways.
CAR 93
Roger, thank you.
CAR 93
Understood, thanks.
UNITED 785
Tower, United 785. We're going to shut it down here to conserve fuel. It might take a little bit of time.
UNITED 785
Tower, this is United flight 785. We're going to turn our engines off while we wait out here to save fuel. It might be a while before we're ready to move again.
TOWER
Yeah, that's fine. You can shut it down now.
TOWER
Yeah, that’s no problem. Go ahead and turn them off.
UNITED 785
Copy that, thanks.
UNITED 785
Will do, thank you.
PILOT
Tower, 3609 Heavy. Just a heads up, I know we're closed here. We hit the bird starting that left turn just passing 500 feet. Probably about 700 or 800 feet is when the birds took out the right engine.
PILOT
Tower, this is the FedEx crew. I know we're stuck here, but just for your report: we hit the birds right as we started that left turn around 500 feet up. It was probably between 700 and 800 feet when the birds killed our right engine.
TOWER
Okay, Roger. Thank you.
TOWER
Okay, understood. Thanks for the information.
PILOT
And Rescue, this is FedEx. How's it looking outside? We're just trying to figure out: should we get out with the stairs, or should we be towed back? What would you recommend?
PILOT
And Rescue, this is FedEx. What’s the situation look like from the outside? We're trying to decide if we should evacuate using the stairs or if it's safe to be towed back. What do you think?
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