Unexpected Engine Strike Forces United Flight to Emergency Land

United airplane taking off from a runway.

A United Airlines plane was forced to make an emergency landing after a rabbit was sucked into one of its engines, causing dramatic fireballs that terrified passengers and onlookers.

Quick Takes

United Airlines Flight UA2325 from Denver to Edmonton returned safely after a rabbit was sucked into the right engine during takeoff, causing flames and backfires.
The Boeing 737-800 carried 153 passengers and 6 crew members, all of whom were safely evacuated with no injuries reported.
Passengers described hearing a “loud bang” followed by “significant vibration” and witnessed repeated fireballs shooting from the damaged engine.
Wildlife strikes are common in aviation with over 20,000 reported in 2023, but rabbit strikes are extraordinarily rare with only four documented cases.
The FAA is currently investigating the unusual incident that occurred.

Fiery Takeoff and Emergency Response

United Airlines Flight UA2325 departed Denver International Airport bound for Edmonton Alberta when it experienced what pilots later confirmed as a “possible wildlife strike.” The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, suffered engine damage when a rabbit was ingested into the right engine during takeoff. The incident triggered immediate alarm among those onboard and witnesses on the ground who observed flames shooting from the engine.

Passenger Scott Wolff described the harrowing experience to reporters, “There was a loud bang and a significant vibration in the plane we proceeded to still climb. Every few moments there was a backfire coming from the engine, a giant fireball behind it. Everybody in the plane then started to panic,” said Wolff.

Rabbit sucked into United Airlines’ plane engine causes ‘giant fireball,’ forces flight to make emergency landing https://t.co/D0BomzJfDu pic.twitter.com/2h9cdkWe6T

— New York Post (@nypost) April 16, 2025

Pilots’ Swift Action Ensures Safe Return

The flight crew responded professionally to the emergency, immediately initiating protocols for an engine malfunction. LiveATC audio recordings captured the pilots’ communication with air traffic control, where one pilot can be heard stating, rather calmly, “Rabbit through the number 2, that’ll do it.” Despite the alarming situation, the pilots maintained control of the aircraft and successfully turned the plane around after approximately 75 minutes in the air.

Ground observer Wyatt McCurry witnessed the frightening scene as flames erupted from the engine. Emergency responders were prepared for the aircraft’s return, with firefighters standing by as the plane made its safe landing at Denver International Airport. All passengers were safely transferred to a replacement aircraft to continue their journey to Edmonton.

Rare Wildlife Incident Highlights Aviation Safety Challenges

United Airlines officially acknowledged the incident in a statement, “On Sunday, our flight from Denver to Edmonton (UA2325) returned safely to Denver to address a possible wildlife strike. The aircraft returned to the gate, and we lined up a new aircraft to get our customers on their way.” The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.

According to FAA data, while wildlife strikes are a consistent challenge for aviation safety with over 20,000 reported incidents in the United States in 2023 alone, rabbit strikes are exceedingly uncommon. Only four rabbit-related incidents were documented last year, including one at Denver International Airport. Birds account for the vast majority of wildlife strikes, making this rabbit incident particularly unusual in aviation safety records.