American Airlines Flight 1760 returns after apparent bird strike
Video showed flames from Flight 1760’s left engine after takeoff from Myrtle Beach, but the Boeing 737 landed safely.
By Frankie Delgado · News Reporter
2 min read
American Airlines Flight 1760 bird strike footage shows flames coming from the Boeing 737’s left engine shortly after it left Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, CBS News reported. The flight turned back and landed safely after what officials described as a bird collision during takeoff.
The passenger video, aired by CBS, captures visible bursts of flame from the engine. The network described the event as an apparent bird strike, rather than a formally established cause.
What happened to American Airlines Flight 1760?
Flight 1760 had been headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, when the crew declared an emergency and returned to Myrtle Beach, according to CBS News’ video report. Fire trucks were waiting when the plane came back, and it landed safely.
CBS reported that none of the 172 passengers was hurt. Passenger John Richter told the network those aboard heard a loud bang and then noticed the aircraft making substantial noise.
The detailed CBS report identifies the flight as Myrtle Beach-to-Charlotte. A separate CBS webpage described passengers on a Mexico-bound flight seeing engine flames, but it did not identify an airline, flight number, airport or outcome. The Flight 1760 report supplies the fuller account of the incident shown in the video.
Was the engine fire confirmed?
The available reporting shows flames from the left engine and says officials reported birds were hit during takeoff. It does not include a regulator’s finding on the cause, the extent of any engine damage, or the aircraft’s later operating status.
Capt. Laura Einsetler, an airline pilot interviewed by CBS, said a return to the departure airport or a landing at a nearby airport is the safe response when an engine may have suffered a significant impact. Her comments were general aviation guidance, not an official finding about Flight 1760.
The incident ended with the aircraft back on the ground at Myrtle Beach and no reported injuries, despite the alarming view from the cabin.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.