WATCH: Bird Strike Ignites Fireball on American Airlines Jet
American Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Landing After Bird Strike at Myrtle Beach
What Happened?
Imagine you’re on a plane, ready to go on a trip. Suddenly, birds fly into the engine right after takeoff! That’s exactly what happened to American Airlines Flight 1760 on Monday, August 10, 2026.
Here are the key details:
- Time: Around 8:40 a.m. local time (the airport says 8:15 a.m.)
- Place: Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) in South Carolina
- Destination: Charlotte, North Carolina
- People on board: 181 total (172 passengers + crew members)
- What went wrong: The plane hit birds during takeoff, causing flames to shoot from one engine
- Pilot’s call: "Mayday, mayday, mayday. We’ve got an engine problem here!"
IMPORTANT POINT
No one was hurt! Everyone on board stayed safe thanks to the pilot’s quick thinking and emergency training.
The Emergency Response
When something scary happens in the air, pilots follow special steps to keep everyone safe. Here’s what happened next:
- Pilot declared emergency – The "Mayday" call alerts air traffic control that there’s serious trouble
- Turned the plane around – Instead of continuing to Charlotte, the pilot flew back to Myrtle Beach
- Emergency landing – The plane landed safely back at the airport just minutes later
- Emergency teams ready – Fire trucks and rescue crews were waiting on the ground as a precaution
- Runway inspection – Airport staff checked the runway and taxiway for debris (standard procedure)
Passengers Safe and Rebooked
After the scary moment, here’s what happened to the passengers:
- Deplaned normally – Everyone got off the plane at the regular gate (no emergency slides needed!)
- Replacement aircraft – American Airlines brought in a different plane to take passengers to Charlotte
- Out of service – The original plane was taken away for thorough inspection by maintenance teams
What Officials Are Saying
Different groups shared slightly different information about the incident:
American Airlines Statement (August 11)
- Called it a "maintenance issue"
- Said the plane "landed safely and has been taken out of service to be inspected"
- Did not mention bird strike or engine fire
- Thanked crew for professionalism and passengers for understanding
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Statement (August 11)
- Confirmed the flight crew reported striking a bird
- Announced they will investigate the incident
Myrtle Beach Airport Statement (August 11)
- Said crew reported "possible smoke from an engine"
- Confirmed emergency response units were dispatched
- Noted no flight operations were impacted – other flights continued normally
CNN Report
- Shared radio audio of operations workers saying: "We’ve got a lot of bird debris out here. We’re going to grab as many big pieces as we can."
How Common Are Bird Strikes?
You might be surprised to learn that bird strikes happen a lot more often than you’d think!
BY THE NUMBERS
- 24,000+ wildlife strikes reported in the U.S. in 2025
- That’s a 9.3% increase from 2024
- Mourning doves are the #1 bird hit (11% of all strikes)
- Ducks and geese (waterfowl) only cause 4% of strikes…
- …but they’re responsible for 27% of damaging strikes because they’re bigger!
What Happens to the Birds?
When birds hit planes, the remains are often sent to the Smithsonian Institution’s lab in Washington, D.C. Scientists there figure out exactly what species of bird was involved. This helps airports understand which birds are causing problems so they can try to keep them away from runways.
Summary
- American Airlines Flight 1760 hit birds during takeoff from Myrtle Beach on August 10, 2026
- Flames seen from engine – pilot declared "Mayday" and returned to airport
- 181 people on board – ZERO injuries reported
- Safe emergency landing – emergency crews stood by as precaution
- Passengers rebooked on replacement plane to Charlotte
- FAA investigating – confirmed bird strike reported by crew
- Airport operations normal – no delays for other flights
- Bird strikes common – 24,000+ per year in U.S., increasing annually
FAQ
Why do birds fly into planes? Don’t they see them?
Birds don’t understand airplanes are dangerous! Planes move very fast, and birds often fly near airports because the grassy areas attract insects and small animals they eat. Airports try to make the area less attractive to birds, but it’s impossible to keep all birds away.
Can a plane fly with only one engine?
Yes! All commercial planes are designed to fly safely on just one engine. Pilots train extensively for this exact situation. The plane might not climb as fast, but it can absolutely land safely.
What does "Mayday" mean?
"Mayday" comes from the French phrase "m’aider" (help me). It’s the international radio distress call used only for life-threatening emergencies. Saying it three times ("Mayday, mayday, mayday") makes sure everyone hears it clearly over radio static.
How do they know what kind of bird hit the plane?
When maintenance crews find bird remains (feathers, tissue, etc.) on the plane, they send them to the Smithsonian’s Feather Identification Lab. Experts there use DNA testing and microscopic feather analysis to identify the exact species – like a crime lab for bird strikes!
Should I be worried about flying after this?
Not at all! This incident proves the safety system works perfectly:
- Plane design handles engine problems
- Pilots train for this exact scenario
- Emergency crews are ready
- Everyone walked away safely
Flying remains the safest way to travel – far safer than driving a car!
Article based on USA TODAY reporting by Saman Shafiq with contributions from Jeanine Santucci. Originally published August 11, 2026; updated August 12, 2026.