A FedEx cargo plane flying from New Jersey to Indiana collided with a bird that ignited one of its engines, forcing it to return to the Newark airport.

Saturday’s Flight 3609 out of Newark Liberty International Airport, headed for Indianapolis International Airport, returned safely, the Federal Aviation Administration said, but the collision damaged one of the engines of the Boeing 767 being used.

“Our B767 crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark (after) dealing with the resulting engine damage, including an engine fire,” FedEx told USA Today.

The flight left Newark at 7:58 a.m. according to flight tracking website FlightAware, and was in the air for less than 10 minutes, having hit the bird as the plane tried to gain altitude. It landed at 8:07 a.m.

“I was driving and saw something falling and then fire start on the right wing engine. I believe a bird went through the engine, a big bird. I was in shock. I stopped immediately on the turnpike. Thankfully nothing happened,” witness Sofiane Zeblah told ABC News.

There were no injuries incurred to the three people on board the plane, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark Liberty International Airport, told The New York Times.

The plane was left disabled on the runway upon landing, the FAA said, according to The Times.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy wrote in a social media post about the incident that bird strikes are not uncommon.

“Over 19k happened in 2023, and 65% occur during takeoff or landing. 4-6% of these strikes result in damage to the aircraft,” he wrote.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.