A United Airlines flight was forced to return to the airport after a rabbit got sucked into one of its engines. The accident happened just before takeoff from Denver International Airport. The plane was heading to Edmonton, Canada, when flames suddenly burst from the engine. This shocking event caused panic on board and led to an emergency landing, marking it as a notable United Airlines emergency landing.
Flames seen shooting from the engine after takeoff
Moments after takeoff, passengers saw fire coming from the right engine. A video showed flashes of flames and fireballs shooting out repeatedly. The incident happened on United Flight 2325. It quickly gained attention online. The crew responded fast and followed emergency procedures following the United Airlines emergency landing protocol. The engine’s backfiring sound and fireballs made passengers fear the worst.
Pilot confirmed rabbit caused the engine trouble
The flight crew contacted air traffic control right away. They asked for help and reported a possible engine fire. LiveATC audio captured the pilot confirming the cause. He said, “Rabbit through the number 2 engine, that’ll do it.” The airline later said the plane returned due to a possible wildlife strike. The situation became clear once the pilot mentioned the rabbit, leading to the necessary United Airlines emergency landing.
Loud bang followed by vibration and panic
Passenger Scott Wolff shared his experience with “Good Morning America.” He said he heard a loud bang when the rabbit hit the engine. Then the plane began to shake. The vibrations continued as the plane climbed higher. Scott also saw fireballs behind the engine. He said it happened every few moments. “Everyone in the plane then started to panic,” he added. Despite the panic, the professional handling of the United Airlines emergency landing ensured everyone’s safety.
Emergency landing made and no one was injured
The plane had 153 passengers and six crew members on board. Thankfully, the pilot landed the plane safely back in Denver. The landing happened around 8:05 p.m., according to the FAA. Everyone was safe. No injuries were reported. The airline moved all passengers to another plane. Then they continued their trip to Edmonton later that night, following the successful United Airlines emergency landing.
United Airlines released statement about the incident
After the event, United Airlines gave a short statement. It confirmed that Flight 2325 had returned safely to Denver. The airline said it was to address a possible wildlife strike. The company did not mention the rabbit directly. But the pilot’s radio message and witness reports made it clear what happened during the United Airlines emergency landing.
Wildlife strikes are common but rabbit strikes are rare
The FAA reported over 20,000 wildlife strikes in 2024. Most of these involved birds. However, rabbits caused only four strikes this year. Still, even small animals like rabbits can damage planes. When sucked into engines, they can create fires or other dangerous issues. This event is a rare but serious example resulting in an unexpected United Airlines emergency landing.
