Flames burst in midair from jet carrying 181 people after bird strike
An American Airlines jet carrying 181 people turned back to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, after a bird strike sent flames from its left engine and prompted a mayday call.
Air disaster unfolded above the Atlantic Ocean for Flight 1760, an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route to North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Departing Myrtle Beach International Airport on August 10 at 8:11 a.m., the plane flew for just 27 minutes before returning, unscathed by the incident. Passengers and crew reported hearing a loud bang followed by bursts of flame from the left engine as they climbed into the sky.
The crew quickly leveled off, turned back, and landed safely a few minutes later, prompting an emergency response. No injuries were reported among the 181 people on board. American Airlines stated the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection and passengers were transported to Charlotte on a replacement aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the pilot's report of a bird strike and promised an investigation.
The incident is the latest in a surge of wildlife strikes, with nearly 8,300 reported in the U.S. this year – a 9.3% increase from 2024. Birds, particularly mourning doves, are responsible for the majority of strikes, accounting for about 97% of incidents.
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