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FAA Investigating Possible Rabbit Strike

A United aircraft’s engine was damaged during takeoff.

United 737-800

A United Boeing 737-800 (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

The Federal Aviation Administration is probing a reported wildlife strike in Denver involving a United Boeing 737-800.

United flight 2325 was scheduled to operate from Denver to Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday evening. The aircraft – registered as N27213 – returned safely to Denver around an hour later.

Shortly after departure, air traffic controllers advised the crew that flames were coming from one of the jet’s engines. The crew believed they had lost an engine.

Later, the crew advised that the No. 2 engine was shut down, and they were also receiving an unsafe gear indication.

Airport officials later advised the crew that a rabbit was likely ingested into the engine. “Rabbit through the No. 2 [engine], that’ll do it,” one of the pilots said, per air traffic control audio recordings.

The aircraft remained out of service for two days, returning on Tuesday evening.

According to the FAA, nearly 21,000 wildlife strikes occurred in 2024, most of which involved birds. Four rabbit strikes were reported.

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  • Ryan Ewing

    Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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