A United Airlines flight from Denver to Edmonton took an unexpected detour back to the runway after a rabbit got sucked into one of the engines—yes, a rabbit. It happened on April 13, 2025, just moments after Flight 2325 lifted off the tarmac.
According to reports, the aircraft’s right engine erupted into flames after the small mammal made the unfortunate decision to hop across the runway. Passengers saw sparks flying, heard loud bangs, and felt heavy vibrations shaking the cabin. One traveler said it looked like a “giant fireball” lit up the side of the plane.
The pilots didn’t know it was a rabbit at the time. Initially, they suspected the landing gear had failed and began circling Denver for about 75 minutes while trying to troubleshoot. Eventually, they declared an emergency and brought the plane back down safely. Emergency vehicles were already waiting on the ground.
No injuries were reported. But let’s just say, not everyone made it to Edmonton with their nerves intact.
Wildlife and Airplanes: A Growing Problem
You’ve heard of bird strikes, but rabbit strikes? Not exactly in the safety manual.
Wildlife collisions with aircraft—called “wildlife strikes” in aviation—are more common than most people realize. The FAA tracked more than 20,000 incidents last year alone, most of them involving birds. But rabbits? Those are rare. Only four rabbit-related strikes were recorded in 2024. That’s four too many if you ask anyone who was onboard Flight 2325.
Airports do work hard to keep runways clear of animals. But rabbits, being small and fast, sometimes slip through fencing or dig their way under barriers. Denver International Airport sits on a lot of open space, which makes it a prime habitat for critters like jackrabbits and prairie dogs.
Airline Response and What Happens Next
United Airlines quickly responded by rerouting the passengers onto a different plane. Everyone eventually made it to Edmonton, though probably with a wild story to tell over dinner.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a full investigation to figure out how the animal got onto the runway in the first place. In the meantime, airport wildlife control teams are likely double-checking every hole in the fence.
Engine fires aren’t something you want to mess with—but thanks to trained pilots, no one was hurt. Except, well… the rabbit.
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