An American Airlines flight has been forced to return to the airport after a possible bird strike.

The FAA said in a statement that the Boeing 737-800 was flying from Columbus to Phoenix on Sunday morning before a crew member reported the strike around 8 a.m. (ET).

The plane, carrying 173 passengers and crew, had to turn back and manage to land safely shortly afterward. American airlines said in his own statement.

“The flight landed normally and taxied safely to the boarding gate under its own power.

“The aircraft was taken out of service for maintenance and our teams are working hard to get the customer back on the road to PHX.

“Safety is our top priority and we thank our customers for their understanding,” it added.

Emergency crews responded to the incident, John Glenn Columbus International Airport said in a statement posted on Twitter.

“Emergency personnel responded to an aircraft incident at CMH this morning, reporting an engine fire.

“The aircraft landed safely and the airport is open for operations,” it added.

The panic in the air was captured on camera as flames burned along the plane’s engines.

In the plane’s radio communication, the pilot can be heard saying: “That’s for sure, we er lost the number two engine in a high-vibration bird strike.”

The airport initially blamed an engine fire, but later said “mechanical issues” prompted the plane to return.

A passenger on the plane told NBC News that she could hear “people on the plane crying” after the engine caught fire.

“My heart really breaks for so many people on this plane, I can hear them crying and I just hope we’re all ok.”

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Last month, a Southwest Airlines flight bound for Florida from Cuba was forced to turn back after colliding with birds.

The airline said it “experienced a bird strike on the engine and nose of the aircraft”.

The plane landed safely in Cubawith no injuries reported, some passengers exited the plane using emergency exits on the wings, while others used inflatable slides.

An American Airlines flight has been forced to return to the airport after a possible bird strike.

The FAA said in a statement that the Boeing 737-800 was flying from Columbus to Phoenix on Sunday morning before a crew member reported the strike around 8 a.m. (ET).

The plane, carrying 173 passengers and crew, had to turn back and manage to land safely shortly afterward. American airlines said in his own statement.

“The flight landed normally and taxied safely to the boarding gate under its own power.

“The aircraft was taken out of service for maintenance and our teams are working hard to get the customer back on the road to PHX.

“Safety is our top priority and we thank our customers for their understanding,” it added.

Emergency crews responded to the incident, John Glenn Columbus International Airport said in a statement posted on Twitter.

“Emergency personnel responded to an aircraft incident at CMH this morning, reporting an engine fire.

“The aircraft landed safely and the airport is open for operations,” it added.

The panic in the air was captured on camera as flames burned along the plane’s engines.

In the plane’s radio communication, the pilot can be heard saying: “That’s for sure, we er lost the number two engine in a high-vibration bird strike.”

The airport initially blamed an engine fire, but later said “mechanical issues” prompted the plane to return.

A passenger on the plane told NBC News that she could hear “people on the plane crying” after the engine caught fire.

“My heart really breaks for so many people on this plane, I can hear them crying and I just hope we’re all ok.”

Read more Sky News:
Hostage who survived 1986 Pan Am plane attack discovers why a terrorist spared his life
Body of cruise ship passenger kept in drink cooler for nearly a week, lawsuit says

Last month, a Southwest Airlines flight bound for Florida from Cuba was forced to turn back after colliding with birds.

The airline said it “experienced a bird strike on the engine and nose of the aircraft”.

The plane landed safely in Cubawith no injuries reported, some passengers exited the plane using emergency exits on the wings, while others used inflatable slides.