A United Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing after a terrifying fireball was caused by the unlikeliest of culprits: a rabbit.
Watch the video down below.
United Airlines flight UA2325 took off from Denver International Airport bound for Edmonton, Alberta, carrying 153 passengers and six crew members.
Shortly after takeoff, what should have been a routine flight turned into a nightmare when a rabbit was sucked into the aircraft’s right engine.
Passengers reported hearing a noise followed by violent shaking throughout the aircraft.
“There was a loud bang and a significant vibration in the plane we proceeded to still climb,” passenger Scott Wolff told reporters. What followed terrified everyone on board.
“Every few moments there was a backfire coming from the engine, a giant fireball behind it. Everybody in the plane then started to panic,” Wolff added.
The dramatic incident was also witnessed from the ground. Wyatt McCurry, who observed the plane with flames shooting from its engine, feared the worst.
“My stomach dropped, and I just thought ‘I’m going to see a plane go down’,” McCurry said.
Fortunately, the pilots acted swiftly, turning the Boeing 737-800 around after approximately 75 minutes in the air.
Upon landing back at Denver International Airport, firefighters were waiting on the tarmac to respond to any potential hazards.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.
United Airlines arranged a replacement aircraft to get the passengers to their destination.
“[O]ur flight from Denver to Edmonton (UA2325) returned safely to Denver to address a possible wildlife strike. The aircraft returned to the gate, and we lined up a new aircraft to get our customers on their way,” a United Airlines spokesperson confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident, which highlights a rarely discussed danger in air travel.
While over 20,000 animal strikes were reported in the United States in 2023, rabbit strikes are extremely uncommon.
Last year, only four rabbit strikes were documented nationwide, one of which occurred at Denver International Airport.
This incident raises important questions about airport perimeter security and wildlife management protocols at major airports across the country.
With thousands of flights departing daily, the potential for similar wildlife strikes presents an ongoing challenge for aviation safety officials.
Critics are questioning whether anything is being done to ensure that airport perimeters are properly secured against wildlife incursions.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected dangers that can arise during air travel and the critical importance of skilled pilots and crew members who are prepared to handle emergencies.
