FAA Investigating American Airlines 737-800 Engine Problem After Reported Bird Strike at Myrtle Beach

The crew declared a mayday shortly after takeoff on Aug. 10 and returned to Myrtle Beach with no injuries reported, according to AirlineGeeks; the FAA investigation is open.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 11, 2026, 3:13 p.m. ETWritten Aug 11, 2026, 8:44 p.m. ET

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident involving an that reported an engine problem shortly after from , South Carolina, at on Aug. 10, 2026, according to AirlineGeeks. The event is still developing and the FAA investigation remains open. AirlineGeeks reported that the pilot declared a mayday, telling air traffic control the flight had an engine problem. The FAA said the crew reported striking a bird during , and the agency is now investigating. No injuries were reported, according to AirlineGeeks. took the out of service for inspection, and another aircraft flew the passengers to Charlotte, AirlineGeeks reported. Video shared with FOX News shows flames shooting from the engine, though the engine itself does not appear on fire, according to the same report. The cause has not been determined. The aircraft involved has not been identified. Registry records list 232 aircraft under ; that is a description of the operator's fleet and not an identification of the aircraft in this incident. Weather observations recorded at International Airport (KMYR), 2.5 miles away and seven minutes from the reported time, showed wind from 250 degrees at 3 knots, visibility of 10 statute miles, few clouds at 5,500 feet and a temperature of 80°F. Those are instrument readings and are not stated to have any bearing on what happened.

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Reference data

From aircraft and geographic registries, not from the news sources. Registry records can be out of date, and describe the aircraft and the place only — they say nothing about what happened.

Terrain elevation: 26 ft
Nearest aerodrome: 2.5 miles ENE of Myrtle Beach International Airport (KMYR/MYR)

Sources

American Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Suspected Bird Strikeairlinegeeks.com

Revision history

Version 112 Aug 2026, 00:44current
First published.

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