United Airlines Flight Returns to Denver After Rare Rabbit Strike Sparks Engine Fire

DENVER, CO – A United Airlines flight bound for Edmonton, Canada, was forced to make an emergency landing back at Denver International Airport on Sunday evening after a rare rabbit strike caused a dramatic engine fire shortly after takeoff. The incident, involving United Flight 2325, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, has drawn attention due to the unusual nature of the wildlife strike.

According to reports, the plane took off from runway 34L just after 7 p.m. local time when it struck a rabbit, which officials believe entered the right-hand CFM56 engine while the aircraft was still on the ground. Passengers reported hearing a loud explosion followed by significant vibrations, with flames visible from the right engine, causing panic in the cabin. One passenger, Scott Wolf, described the terrifying moment: “Someone near the rear of the plane started to say the wing was on fire. I thought I was going to die.” Another witness recounted, “There was a loud bang and a significant vibration in the plane. Every few moments, there was a backfire coming from the engine, a giant fireball behind it.”

Air traffic control audio captured the pilots declaring a “MAYDAY” and reporting a “rabbit through the number two [engine],” to which a controller responded, “Rabbit through the number two, that’d do it.” The crew promptly turned the aircraft back to Denver, landing safely. No injuries were reported, and the plane was met by emergency services on the tarmac.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notes that while wildlife strikes are common, with over 20,000 reported in the U.S. in 2024, rabbit strikes are exceedingly rare, with only four recorded last year, including one at Denver International Airport. United Airlines issued a statement confirming the safe return of the flight to address a “possible wildlife strike” and is cooperating with investigations by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

This incident adds to a series of recent aviation challenges, including engine fires and wildlife strikes reported across U.S. carriers. Experts emphasize that pilots are trained to handle such emergencies, and the swift response of the United crew ensured a safe outcome. The aircraft is currently under inspection to assess damage and determine how the rabbit entered the engine.

Passengers were rebooked on subsequent flights, and United Airlines has not released further details on the incident pending the ongoing investigation.

Sources: View from the Wing, ABC News, 6abc Philadelphia, Yahoo News, Denver Post

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