A United Airlines flight bound for Edmonton from Denver was forced to make an emergency landing after a rabbit was sucked into one of its engines, causing a fire. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, safely returned to Denver without any reported injuries. Passengers onboard described moments of panic as they witnessed a fireball and heard loud bangs and vibrations from the engine. LiveATC audio revealed the flight crew’s request for an engine inspection, leading to the unexpected discovery of the rabbit in the engine. Following the incident, passengers were transferred to a new aircraft to continue their journey to Edmonton.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crew’s report of striking an animal during takeoff and announced an investigation into the incident. While wildlife strikes, especially with birds, are not uncommon in aviation, the FAA reported nearly 20,000 strikes in 2023 alone. Over the years, such collisions have resulted in fatalities and aircraft damage, highlighting the serious safety risks posed by encounters between aircraft and wildlife. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers and challenges faced by aviation due to wildlife interference, prompting ongoing efforts to mitigate such risks and ensure passenger safety.