An American Airlines aircraft engine is said to have caught fire after a possible bird attack
(CNN) An American Airlines flight was forced to return to the airport Sunday morning in Columbus, Ohio, after a possible bird strike may have sparked an engine fire.
The 1958 Boeing 737 had been traveling from Columbus to Phoenix before the crew reported a possible bird strike around 8 a.m. local time, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The plane returned safely to John Glenn Columbus International Airport, the FAA said.
This still from a video appears to show flames shooting from American Airlines flight 1958 over Columbus, Ohio, after a possible bird strike on Sunday.
“Emergency crews responded to an aircraft incident at CMH this morning involving a reported engine fire. The aircraft landed safely and the airport is open and operational,” John Glenn Columbus International Airport said in a statement posted on Twitter.
The FAA is investigating the matter.
The plane returned safely to Columbus “due to a mechanical problem.” American Airlines says so in a statement.
“The aircraft landed normally and taxied safely to the gate under its own power. The aircraft was taken out of service for maintenance and our team is working to get customers back on their way to Phoenix,” American Airlines’ statement said.
