An American Airlines passenger jet made a dramatic emergency landing in South Carolina after a reported bird strike caused flames to shoot from one of the aircraft’s engines shortly after takeoff.
American Airlines Flight 1760 was traveling from Myrtle Beach International Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport when the emergency unfolded Monday.
The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 172 passengers and nine crew members.
Despite dramatic video showing flames coming from beneath the aircraft’s left wing, the pilots safely returned to Myrtle Beach.
No injuries were reported.
The aircraft was taken out of service so maintenance crews could inspect it.
Flames Erupt Shortly After Takeoff
Flight 1760 had only recently departed Myrtle Beach when the crew encountered trouble.
Fox News reported that the aircraft experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff. Video captured from the ground showed flashes of flames coming from the aircraft as it remained in the air.
Witnesses could also hear loud popping sounds.
The dramatic images made the situation appear potentially catastrophic.
Inside the cockpit, the pilots quickly began preparing to return to Myrtle Beach.
The crew declared an emergency.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday,” the pilot could be heard telling air traffic controllers during communications reported by the New York Post.
The aircraft then turned back toward the airport.
Bird Strike Blamed for Emergency
Early information indicates that birds caused the engine problem.
Another pilot reportedly told air traffic control that he saw the American Airlines jet hit a flock of birds during departure.
Evidence on the runway supported that account.
Bird remains were reportedly discovered following the incident.
American Airlines said the flight returned because of a possible bird strike and confirmed that the aircraft landed safely.
ABC News also reported that a bird strike forced the American Airlines flight to return to Myrtle Beach.
The airline removed the plane from service for inspection.
American Airlines Says Engine Was Not on Fire
The video created an obvious question.
Was the engine actually burning?
American Airlines indicated that the dramatic flames may not have been an internal engine fire.
According to the airline, the flashes visible in the video were likely caused by birds being ingested into the engine and burning.
That can create fire and flashes without necessarily producing a sustained engine fire.
The distinction is important.
Modern commercial aircraft are designed to remain controllable after an engine problem.
Pilots are also extensively trained to handle engine failures and other emergencies during the most critical phases of flight.
Passengers Describe Frightening Flight
For passengers, however, the technical explanation did little to reduce the fear they experienced.
People aboard the aircraft knew something was wrong shortly after departure.
The flight had barely begun when passengers realized they were returning to the airport.
Video of the aircraft later showed just how serious the incident appeared from the ground.
Passengers praised the flight crew for remaining calm and getting the aircraft safely back to Myrtle Beach.
The pilots’ rapid response turned what could have become a major aviation disaster into a safe emergency landing.
Boeing 737 Carried 181 People
The Boeing 737-800 had 181 people aboard when the incident occurred.
That included 172 passengers and nine crew members.
The aircraft was headed for Charlotte, one of American Airlines’ major hubs.
The relatively short route between Myrtle Beach and Charlotte is regularly used by travelers connecting to other destinations.
After the emergency landing, American Airlines arranged another aircraft to transport the affected passengers.
The original aircraft remained in Myrtle Beach for a maintenance inspection.
Bird Strikes Are a Serious Aviation Hazard
Bird strikes are not unusual in commercial aviation.
Thousands are reported in the United States every year.
Most do not result in serious accidents.
However, strikes can become dangerous when birds are sucked into aircraft engines.
The greatest risk often occurs during takeoff and landing because aircraft are flying at lower altitudes where birds are more common.
Airports use several techniques to reduce the danger.
Those methods can include wildlife management, habitat control, noise devices and other systems designed to keep birds away from active runways.
But eliminating the risk entirely is nearly impossible.
The Myrtle Beach incident demonstrates how quickly a routine departure can become an aviation emergency.
Flight Crew’s Response Proves Critical
The pilots aboard Flight 1760 had to make several decisions quickly.
They needed to determine the condition of the aircraft, communicate with air traffic controllers and prepare for an immediate return.
At the same time, the cabin crew had to keep passengers safe and prepare the cabin for landing.
The aircraft ultimately returned without further incident.
No evacuation-related injuries or other passenger injuries were reported.
The successful landing is another example of why commercial pilots train repeatedly for engine failures and emergency returns.
Dramatic Video Draws National Attention
The incident attracted national attention after video of the aircraft began circulating.
Images of flames shooting from a passenger jet naturally created concern that a serious engine fire had occurred.
But the outcome was far less severe than the images suggested.
Flight 1760 landed safely.
Everyone aboard survived without reported injuries.
The passengers were eventually placed on another aircraft.
Meanwhile, maintenance crews began examining the Boeing 737 to determine the extent of the damage.
The investigation should provide more information about exactly what happened inside the engine.
For now, the central facts are clear.
An American Airlines Boeing 737 carrying 181 people struck birds shortly after leaving Myrtle Beach. Flames were captured on video. The pilots declared an emergency and immediately returned to the airport.
Minutes after a routine flight turned into a frightening emergency, all 181 people aboard were safely back on the ground.
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