The plane's engine sparked after hitting a bird (Photo: Economic Times).
NBC News reported that an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 was forced to return to John Glenn Columbus Airport in Ohio on the morning of April 23rd due to an engine failure caused by a bird strike. The plane was scheduled to fly to Phoenix, Arizona.
Video footage from the scene shows flames erupting from engine number 2 and spreading to the aircraft's right wing.
The Boeing took off at 7:43 a.m., and the bird strike occurred at 8:00 a.m., according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The plane turned back to the airport immediately after the incident and landed safely.
A US plane carrying 173 people burst into flames after hitting a bird.
"The aircraft landed safely and is being taken for maintenance. We are assisting passengers to complete their planned journeys," American Airlines announced.
The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 173 people, including passengers and crew, according to NBC News . No one was injured in the crash.
Passenger John Fisher told NBC News that those on board quickly realized the collision because they heard a loud noise.
"Apparently, we encountered a flock of birds, and the engine started making very loud noises. Eventually, they shut off the engine and returned to the airport," he said.
According to the American Pilots and Aircraft Owners Association, bird strikes are a serious hazard and are believed to have caused the deaths of 350 people in the history of American commercial aviation.
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