News Summary
A United Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route to Edmonton faced an emergency after hitting an animal during takeoff from Denver. The aircraft turned back due to fire alarms in the right engine. Fortunately, all 153 passengers and six crew members landed safely. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of wildlife strikes at major airports.
United Airlines Flight Makes Quick Turnaround After Animal Encounter
On Sunday evening, a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 was just getting ready to soar a little after 7 p.m. when things took an unexpected twist. Designated as Flight United 2325, this spirited aircraft was off to Edmonton International Airport in Alberta, Canada, carrying a lively crowd of 153 passengers and six crew members onboard.
As the plane taxied and lifted off from Denver International Airport, an unforeseen hiccup occurred. During the takeoff phase, the aircraft struck an animal, prompting what’s known as a possible wildlife strike. Now, you might be wondering, what kind of animal? While the FAA didn’t detail the specifics, reports indicated that rabbits were actively scurrying on the runway at the time. Yes, you read that right—rabbits!
Warning Signs
Air traffic control was on top of things, having informed the pilots about potential wildlife activity, specifically highlighting the “rabbit activity.” However, as the plane began its ascent, the pilot reported a troubling situation: they believed the right engine was in trouble. Now, that’s never a good sign when you’re thousands of feet off the ground.
And Then It Happened
Witnesses who experienced the flight had quite the story to tell. They reported seeing flames shooting from the right engine—some of them described it as fireballs. At that moment, an emergency was declared, sending the aircraft into a swift circle back to Denver International Airport to safely land.
Emergency Response in Action
How Passengers Felt
Thanks to the Crew
A Look at Wildlife Strikes
Final Thoughts
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KDVR: Passengers Recall Flight in Flames
- Fox 21 News: Possible Deadly Animal Attack
- KDVR: Coyotes Attack Dog in Jeffco Backyard
- CBS News: Moose Attacks Man in Colorado
- WATE: Denver Zoo Uses Bloodsicles to Cool Animals
- Wikipedia: Wildlife Strike
- Google Search: Wildlife Strike
- Google Scholar: Wildlife Strike
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wildlife Management
- Google News: Wildlife Strike
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
