CBS 2 reports, that a bird strike forced a Continental Airlines jet bound for Newark Liberty International Airport to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Panama City, Panama on Friday.

According to airline officials, Flight 1022, a Boeing 737-900 with 176 on board, took off from Tocumen Airport at 10:05 a.m., but quickly ran into a trouble when the bird strike caused the left engine to catch fire. Officials said the pilot managed to shut down the engine and returned the aircraft safely to the airport.

Bird strikes have resulted in numerous mishaps over the last few years, with the most memorable being the “Miracle on the Hudson” incident on Jan. 15, 2009. That day, hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger successfully landed crippled US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus 320 with 155 passengers on board, in the river after both of its engines were taken out by a flock of birds.

(Source: WCBSTV)