While the concept of an aircraft suffering a bird strike is nothing new, here’s a strange variation of that, as reported by The Aviation Herald.
In this post:
United 737 has major engine issues after Denver takeoff
This incident happened on Sunday, April 13, 2025, and involves United Airlines flight UA2325, scheduled to fly from Denver (DEN) to Edmonton (YEG). The 1,019-mile flight was operated by a 27-year-old Boeing 737-800 with the registration code N27213, with 153 passengers and six crew members.
The aircraft took off at 7:20PM local time from runway 34L. Shortly after takeoff, the crew declared an emergency, explaining to air traffic controllers that they had lost their right hand engine, and also that they were dealing with a potential fire related to that.
The video footage from inside the cabin is kind of wild, with passengers screaming. Of course I can understand how one would be scared when they see flames coming from the wing, but it’s a great reminder of just how well built aircraft are, and what they can withstand.
After declaring an emergency, the crew requested to enter a holding pattern so that they could work through checklists. The plane landed back in Denver on the same runway around 40 minutes after it first departed, and there were no injuries among passengers or crew.
United quickly found a replacement aircraft, which ended up operating the flight to Edmonton, where passengers arrived around three hours late — that’s a pretty impressive recovery! Meanwhile the aircraft involved in the incident remained on the ground for over 36 hours, before reentering service on April 15.
This incident was reportedly caused by a rabbit
What caused the United 737 to lose its engine after takeoff from Denver? Well, apparently the aircraft ingested a rabbit through its engine. First and foremost, I feel bad for the rabbit… that’s sad. Second of all, that has to be one of the more unusual things to be ingested into an aircraft engine, since one wonders how exactly the rabbit got into the engine in the first place.
Did it somehow run into the engine on the runway, or what? Because it’s not like a rabbit would be resting on the engine cowling for long, before it gets ingested.
At major commercial airports in the United States, aircraft don’t typically deal with many wildlife run-ins, due to precautions that are taken. The exception is birds, as bird strikes can be tough to prevent, even when measures are in place. Meanwhile in some other parts of the world, or at remote airports, there are more potential hazards, including the risk of wildlife roaming the runway.
Bottom line
A United 737 made an emergency return back to Denver, after the aircraft suffered an engine failure and fire shortly after takeoff. While this can happen for a variety of reasons, the cause here was rather unusual, as it was due to a rabbit reportedly being ingested into the engine. How exactly that happened is a great question…
If nothing else, this incident is a great reminder of just how sturdy planes are. Even when something looks as catastrophic from inside the cabin of the cabin as this did, you’re still almost certainly going to be okay.
Hope it wasn’t the Easter Bunny
Rabbits and aviation don’t seem to mix well.
During my aviation career, I saw many of these furry critters near runways and taxiways in Paris Charles Le Gaulle (CDG) airport.
On a separate occasion, Airbus had been affected by a strike in the early 1990s and decided to store curving pneumatics ducts in the open in Toulouse. For rabbits they became very popular hiding places and when the ducts were ultimately installed some still...
Rabbits and aviation don’t seem to mix well.
During my aviation career, I saw many of these furry critters near runways and taxiways in Paris Charles Le Gaulle (CDG) airport.
On a separate occasion, Airbus had been affected by a strike in the early 1990s and decided to store curving pneumatics ducts in the open in Toulouse. For rabbits they became very popular hiding places and when the ducts were ultimately installed some still had rabbits inside.
The removal took some additional time on these already delayed aircraft.
Typo, should of course read: Charles de Gaulle
An engine is on fire, and you don't know what to do without consulting a checklist. Are there separate checklists for bird strikes and rabbit strikes?
There is neither.
But there are checklists for a) engine failure (flame out), b) severe damage or fire, and c) engine surge or stall.
Going by the image and video, it seems that this was a case of engine surge/stall which can happen as a consequence of the disruption of the airflow through the engine cause by bird (or dog or rabbit) strikes. No matter how spectacular it looks and sounds, it is...
There is neither.
But there are checklists for a) engine failure (flame out), b) severe damage or fire, and c) engine surge or stall.
Going by the image and video, it seems that this was a case of engine surge/stall which can happen as a consequence of the disruption of the airflow through the engine cause by bird (or dog or rabbit) strikes. No matter how spectacular it looks and sounds, it is not an engine fire, it is more like a car engine backfiring.
I am glad that crews follow electronic or paper checklists, there has been more harm done improvising than following published procedures and manufacturers warn against unnecessary improvising.
Never understood the need for a lot of mindless screaming. Alerting the tribe that there's danger! Ok, you've done that, now close your mouth.
Hopefully it was not the Easter Bunny otherwise there will be a bunch of bummed out kids next Sunday morning.
Enough with the f-ing screaming already.
Back in the 90s, I was shocked when landing in Charles de Gaulle repeatedly to see thousands of rabbits diving off the runways and into holes around the grassy surrounding areas. Makes perfect sense when you consider that there are no predators out there. Happen to be a big Rabbit fan, so it tickled me pink to land in Paris and be welcomed by thousands of bunnies!
I used to work in airport operations at an airport in Texas. We had millions of jackrabbits and they can get BIG. No matter how many we trapped and shot there were always more being born. In some airports they are worse than birds.
The engines of the 737 hang very low, close to the ground. That‘s the reason why most accidents where people get sucked into an aircraft engine involve 737 planes. The rabbit probably was crossing the runway when it was sucked in.
“First and foremost I feel sorry for the rabbit” is an odd thing to say; surely the fact that no passengers were hurt and the plane landed safety would be the most inportant sentiment??
Boomer discovers the concept of “comedic relief”
#RabbitLivesMatter
There are videos of alligators on the runway at MCO. Rabbit bad, alligator worse.
The Monty Python rabbit strikes again! Bring forth the holy hand grenade of Antioch!
Damn it, you beat me to it. :)
Thank you for feeling bad for the rabbit, @Lucky
I know some might find it hilarious, but I really thank you.
As Elmer Fudd once said: I'm having wabbit stew.
Yeah, I can definitely see the scenario where the rabbit was trying to cross the runway and got sucked into the engine. Sucks for the rabbit, and for the engine. They're a bit sturdier than the birds that plane engines are used to ingesting...
Dear Lucky,
I wanted to thank you for your recent article about the unusual rabbit strike incident involving a United Airlines flight. It was a fascinating and well-written piece—both informative and unexpectedly entertaining. It’s always interesting to read about these rare aviation occurrences, and you covered it with just the right balance of detail and tone.
I’d also like to kindly suggest a potential follow-up story or feature. With the recent inaugural flight of Global...
Dear Lucky,
I wanted to thank you for your recent article about the unusual rabbit strike incident involving a United Airlines flight. It was a fascinating and well-written piece—both informative and unexpectedly entertaining. It’s always interesting to read about these rare aviation occurrences, and you covered it with just the right balance of detail and tone.
I’d also like to kindly suggest a potential follow-up story or feature. With the recent inaugural flight of Global Airlines from Glasgow to New York JFK, there’s a lot of excitement and curiosity surrounding this new entrant in the aviation industry. A full article and review covering the flight experience, onboard service, aircraft details, and passenger feedback would be a fantastic read.
Thank you again for your great work, and I hope you'll consider this idea for a future piece.
Warm regards,
AI
Thanks ChatGPT
Rabbit strike.
When Easter meets April Fools.
And just realize the flight path looks like giving the middle finger. Can't unsee that.
you are on a roll today Eskimo ! LOL
LOL too bad it's not the Rabbit Strike trifecta.
If this didn't happen in Denver but in Chicago.
Imagine an O'Hare Rabbit Stike.
Can't make this stuff up even on April Fools.
Only an April Fool would know.