Disturbing moment passengers watch their jet dumping fuel during emergency landing after bird strike

Shocked passengers watch in horror as their plane dumps fuel before an emergency landing after a bird strikes the aircraft.

The United Airlines flight, bound for New York, made an unexpected stop in Sydney – 90 minutes after departing from the same airport.

The Boeing 777 dumped a large amount of fuel to make the aircraft lighter – which is standard procedure for an emergency landing.

A spokesperson for the airline said the incident on Monday was caused by a “possible bird strike”.

Stunned travellers on board filmed the fuel being ejected from the wing and faced a nervous wait as the flight circled the airport several times before landing.

Passenger and Instagram user Kiphale3 posted a video online with the caption: “Unbeknownst to me, we apparently hit birds during take off and flight crew spotted bird strike damage to the plane.

"#United Airlines decided to make the plane lighter by dumping fuel. A tad unnerving to watch this out your window. All is fine, however, and that is most important."

The flight took off from Sydney International Airport at 9:45am on Monday and landed back at the same hub at 11:13am.

Emergency teams met the commercial airline on the runway following the landing and guided it the gates.

A spokeswoman for United Airlines said: "United Airlines UA840 from Sydney to Los Angeles on Monday, 4th July returned to Sydney International Airport right after take-off due to a possible bird strike.

"United Airlines confirmed the aircraft safely returned to the airport at 11.13am and the flight has been cancelled.

“United Airlines is currently working to re-accommodate passengers on the next available flight and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused."

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