Shocking images and videos of a FedEx aircraft bursting into flames went viral on social media Saturday morning as terrified onlookers recorded the scene.
The affected plane was flying out of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, according to flight data from FlightAware.
After taking off at 7:58am, the flight’s right engine erupted in flames – with onlookers on the ground describing a loud boom – and the plane was forced to U-turn back to Newark for an emergency landing at 8:07am.
It’s not clear what the flight’s intended destination was.
Social media videos posted to X show the plane’s right engine on fire, both when it was in the air and when it was back on the tarmac.
A group of people on the ground recorded a video of the plane flying overhead and were heard swearing in complete disbelief.
Another terrifying angle of the plane while it was airborne came from inside a car driving on the New Jersey Turnpike next to the airport. The person filming zoomed in and the engine was still on fire.
The FAA, Newark Airport and FedEx did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s requests for comment.
Pictured: The FedEx plane lands back at Newark on Saturday morning
The plane is seen in the sky shortly before it lands
Someone in nearby Elizabeth, which is adjacent to the airport, shot a video of the flaming plane flying over their neighborhood.
The plane was in the air for an estimated nine minutes before it had to make its emergency landing, according to flight data.
