Terrifying Moment: United Flight Erupts in Flames After Rabbit Strike

Panic in the Sky: Rabbit Strike Causes United Flight Engine Fire

Passengers aboard United Flight 2325 experienced moments of sheer terror when their plane was forced to make an emergency landing after a rabbit was sucked into one of its engines. The bizarre and frightening incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Denver International Airport on Sunday, April 13, as the aircraft was bound for Edmonton, Canada.

Dramatic footage captured the hair-raising moment when repeated flashes of flame shot from the aircraft’s engine, illuminating the night sky and sending waves of panic through the cabin. The unexpected encounter with local wildlife turned what should have been a routine flight into a mid-air emergency.

“That’s a Rabbit Through the Engine” – Pilots Confirm Unusual Strike

In LiveATC audio recordings, flight crew can be heard requesting an urgent inspection for an engine fire. The pilot’s matter-of-fact confirmation of the cause has since gone viral: “Rabbit through the number 2 [engine], that’ll do it,” he stated, according to reports from ABC News.

While bird strikes are relatively common in aviation, rabbit incidents are exceedingly rare. The Federal Aviation Administration reported over 20,000 wildlife strikes involving aircraft in 2024, but only four involved rabbits – making this particular incident all the more unusual.

Passengers Describe Terrifying Moments as Engine Erupts

Passenger Scott Wolff recounted the frightening experience to “Good Morning America,” describing a “loud bang” that occurred immediately after the rabbit was ingested by the turbine. This was followed by what he called “significant vibration in the plane” as it continued climbing into the sky.

“Every few moments there was a backfire coming from the engine, a giant fireball behind it,” Wolff explained. “Everyone in the plane then started to panic.” The flight was carrying 153 passengers and six crew members who found themselves in a scenario far more dramatic than the typical in-flight turbulence.

Quick-Thinking Crew Brings Flight to Safe Landing

Despite the alarming circumstances, the flight crew executed emergency protocols flawlessly. The aircraft landed safely back at Denver International Airport around 8:05 p.m., according to information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration.

United Airlines addressed the incident in a brief statement: “Our flight from Denver to Edmonton (UA2325) returned safely to Denver to address a possible wildlife strike.” Following the emergency landing, passengers were transferred to a different aircraft to continue their journey to Edmonton.

The Surprising Impact of Wildlife on Aviation Safety

This incident highlights the often-overlooked hazard that wildlife can pose to aircraft operations. Modern jet engines are designed to withstand many challenges, but foreign object debris – including wildlife – can cause significant damage when ingested at high speeds.

While airports employ various wildlife management techniques to reduce such risks, including habitat modification and deterrent systems, occasional encounters still occur. The rarity of rabbit strikes compared to bird incidents makes this case particularly notable in aviation safety circles.

Aviation experts will likely study this incident closely, as each wildlife strike provides valuable data that can inform future safety protocols. For now, passengers aboard Flight 2325 have a story of survival that few travelers will ever experience – and perhaps a newfound appreciation for the skills of flight crews trained to handle even the most unusual emergency situations.