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Flames shoot from engine of American Airlines plane that hit birds as it was taking off
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- An American Airlines Boeing 737 struck birds shortly after takeoff from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, causing flames to shoot from the left engine and prompting an emergency landing.
- The flight, carrying 181 passengers and crew, was originally headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, but returned safely to Myrtle Beach where the plane was taken out of service for inspection.
- Passengers and witnesses reported seeing flames and hearing loud popping noises during the incident, while airport workers recovered bird remains from the runway.
- The FAA confirmed the bird strike and announced it will investigate the incident, noting that over 24,000 wildlife strikes were reported in the U.S. in 2025.
- Bird remains collected from such strikes are analyzed by the Smithsonian Institution to identify species and aid in preventing future wildlife collisions.
