Bird Strike Forces American Airlines Flight to Return Safely to Myrtle Beach Airport

An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 hit birds during takeoff from Myrtle Beach International Airport, forcing pilots to declare an emergency and return safely to the airport.

The incident occurred on a morning flight from South Carolina to North Carolina, carrying 172 passengers and nine crew members. Shortly after departure, pilots reported an engine problem due to the bird strike, which caused flames to appear beneath the left wing. The aircraft turned back towards Myrtle Beach, making a safe landing less than 30 minutes after takeoff.

Pasengers described hearing a loud bang and strong rumbling sound after takeoff, while videos showed flames coming from the engine as the flight flew over water. The crew remained calm throughout the emergency, and the aircraft was removed from service for inspection.