MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.— An American Airlines flight bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, was forced to make a dramatic emergency landing shortly after takeoff on Monday after striking a flock of birds, causing flames to shoot from one of its engines.
American Airlines Flight 1760, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers and crew members, had just departed Myrtle Beach International Airport when the left engine ingested several birds.
Midair Emergency and Mayday Call
Moments after lift-off, witnesses on the ground and passengers aboard reported loud popping sounds accompanied by bright orange flashes and smoke issuing from the left wing.
According to air traffic control audio retrieved from LiveATC.net, the pilot radioed an urgent distress call shortly after departure:
“Mayday, mayday, mayday. We’ve got an engine problem here,” the pilot declared, requesting priority clearance to return to Myrtle Beach.
Another pilot on the frequency confirmed the bird strike over the radio, noting, “I saw he took up birds, it looked like, at least in the left side engine.”
Safe Return and Runway Cleanup
The flight crew safely executed a turn and landed the aircraft back at Myrtle Beach International Airport.The Boeing 737 taxied to the gate under its own power, and all 181 people onboard deplaned normally with no injuries reported.
While emergency response teams assembled on the tarmac, airport operations workers cleared substantial bird debris and feathers off the runway.
In a statement following the incident, American Airlines confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and was taken out of service to undergo thorough maintenance inspections.The airline worked to rebook affected passengers on alternative flights to Charlotte.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
