A United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport after a rabbit reportedly entered one of its engines, causing it to catch fire shortly after takeoff.
The flight, bound for Edmonton, Canada, had just taken off from Colorado’s Denver International Airport when passengers witnessed alarming scenes mid-air — flames repeatedly shooting out of one of the aircraft’s engines. Video footage recorded from inside the plane has since surfaced, showing the terrifying moments.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft was carrying 153 passengers and six crew members at the time of the incident.
One passenger recalled hearing a loud bang, followed by violent shaking of the aircraft, which led to panic and chaos onboard. Initial investigations suggest that a rabbit may have been sucked into the engine, triggering the malfunction and fire.
The pilot quickly turned the aircraft around and safely landed back in Denver. No injuries were reported.
The FAA noted that in 2024 alone, over 20,000 wildlife strikes were reported involving aircraft in the United States, most commonly involving birds. This year has already seen four separate incidents involving rabbits entering aircraft engines — an unusual but growing concern.
The FAA and United Airlines are conducting further investigations to assess the extent of the damage and evaluate airport wildlife control measures.
