A United Airlines flight bound for Canada was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport on Sunday morning after a apparent animal strike caused its right engine to catch fire about a minute after takeoff.
Flight 2325, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 152 people and six crew members, landed safely at Denver without any injuries, according to airport authorities.
Air traffic control audio captured the intense moment in the air: “United 2325, it appears you got… little puffs of flames coming out the right engine, ” a controller radioed. “We are a gear back, think we are losing our right motor,” a crew member replied calmly. 
The government has started to investigate the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Preliminary reports indicate the plane may have hit an animal – most likely a bird – while taking off, a problem the aviation industry is still fighting.
FAA data states that more than 20,000 wildlife strikes were reported last year. Although mainly non-fatal such incidents have led to death 76 times and the total loss of 126 aircraft in the U.S. since 1988 to 2023.
Although the dramatic visuals and risk of dangerous situation, reaction of the crew of flight was serious and emergency procedure was performed that all personnel went on board safety. United Airlines is yet to make a detailed statement but paid tribute to the professionalism of the crew.
The incident highlights the continued threat of wildlife strike on aviation and the value of Ongoing safety oversight.
