American Airlines Boeing 737 makes emergency landing after bird strike

On Monday, August 11, 2026, an American Airlines Boeing 737 performing flight 1760 was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The aircraft, which was en route to Charlotte, North Carolina, suffered engine failure after a bird strike, which resulted in visible flames emanating from the left engine.

The flight was carrying 181 people at the time of the incident. Radio recordings obtained from LiveATC.net captured the pilot issuing a "Mayday" distress call shortly after departure. Another pilot in the vicinity confirmed witnessing the bird strike, suggesting the left engine had ingested birds. Passengers and witnesses on the ground, including Lindsey Mackey, reported hearing loud noises and observing flashes of orange light coming from the wing area. Passenger Patrick Gotwalt recorded video footage of the flames as the aircraft circled back toward the airport.

Emergency response teams were alerted and gathered at the Myrtle Beach airport as the aircraft prepared for an emergency landing. There were no immediate reports of casualties among the 181 passengers and crew, and the aircraft successfully returned to the departure airport.