“FedEx Flight 3609 from Newark to Indianapolis experienced a bird strike during takeoff. Our crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark," a statement from the company read.

“FedEx Flight 3609 from Newark to Indianapolis experienced a bird strike during takeoff. Our crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark,” a statement from the company read.

On March 1, FedEx flight 3609, a Boeing 767-300F, took off from Newark, heading to Indianapolis International Airport. ... Bird strikes are fairly common, though the amount of damage varies widely.

The most devastating bird strike in U.S. history occurred in 1960, before the FAA began maintaining its database: On Oct. 4, 1960, Eastern Air Lines Flight 375 crashed into the Boston Harbor ...

The problem detailed by the National Transportation Safety Board emerged after two bird strikes involving Southwest Airlines planes in 2023 — one in Havana, Cuba, and another in New Orleans.