United Airlines flight made emergency landing in Denver Following animal strike and engine fire

United Airlines Flight 2325 Makes Emergency Landing in Denver After Rabbit Strike and Engine Fire

The Incident

On April 13, 2025, United Airlines Flight 2325, a Boeing 737-800 bound for Edmonton from Denver, was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff due to a rare animal strike and resulting engine fire. Moments after the plane departed Denver International Airport, passengers and crew reported hearing a loud bang and feeling intense vibrations. Flames and sparks were seen coming from the aircraft’s right engine, causing alarm among those onboard.

Air traffic controllers observed visible flames and immediately coordinated with the flight crew, who declared an emergency and turned the aircraft back toward Denver. The plane remained airborne for roughly 75 minutes to burn off fuel before landing safely on one engine. Emergency crews were on standby and responded swiftly upon landing. Fortunately, all 153 passengers and six crew members were unharmed.

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The Rare Rabbit Strike

Following the emergency landing, investigators determined the engine fire was caused by a rabbit being ingested into the engine during takeoff. While bird strikes are relatively common in aviation, incidents involving mammals—especially rabbits—are exceedingly rare. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), only four rabbit-related strikes were reported nationwide in 2024.

This unusual event has prompted renewed focus on wildlife management around airports. The FAA has launched a full investigation into the incident to determine whether additional wildlife mitigation measures are needed at Denver International Airport to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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Passenger Reactions and Aftermath

Passengers described the experience as terrifying. Several recounted hearing explosions and seeing fire out the window, with some fearing for their lives and sending messages to loved ones mid-flight. “There was a giant fireball outside my window. I thought that was it,” said one traveler.

After the safe landing, passengers were debriefed and transferred to another flight to complete their journey to Edmonton. United Airlines issued a statement thanking the flight crew for their professionalism and calm handling of the emergency. The airline also reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and stated it is cooperating fully with the FAA investigation.

While the incident was rare, it serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictability of aviation and the importance of rigorous safety procedures. United Airlines and federal authorities are expected to release more findings as the investigation continues.

United 2325, it looks like you got, every once in awhile, little bursts of flame coming out the right engine,” somebody said over the radio.The United Airlines flight bound for Canada, a Boeing 737-800 that was carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, landed safely Sunday without reports of any injuries, the airport said in a statement.

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.

Animals, particularly birds, hitting airplanes isn’t uncommon, with nearly 20,000 strikes reported in 2023, according to an FAA report. In the most extreme cases over the years, collisions with wildlife killed 76 people and destroyed 126 aircraft between 1988 and 2023 in the U.S.