Airplane engine catches fire during US flight
A Boeing 7478 freighter landed in Miami on Thursday night (18th) shortly after takeoff. due to a fire in one of the engines the aircraft has four engines.
The aircraft, which had five crew members on board, returned safely to the airport. No injuries were reported.
The flight, operated by American cargo company Atlas Air, was en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The pilot made an emergency call to report an engine fire and requested a return to the airport.
“We have an engine fire,” one of the crew members said, adding that the fire occurred “during the climb” of the plane.
A video taken from the ground shows this Fire came from the engine of the plane, operated by the American cargo company Atlas Air.
1 of 1 Airplane engine catches fire in Miami Photo: Melanie Adaros via AP Airplane engine catches fire in Miami Photo: Melanie Adaros via AP
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. The FAA reported that a postflight inspection found a bulletsized hole over the engine, while the NTSB said it was “collecting information to evaluate and determine the scope of the investigation.”
“The crew followed all standard procedures and returned safely to Miami International Airport,” the company said, adding that it would conduct an inspection to find the cause.
Boeing said it supports Atlas and will “support the NTSB's investigation into this incident.”
According to the FAA, Atlas' Boeing 7478 is eight years old and equipped with four General Electric engines. GE Aerospace said it is providing technical assistance to the FAA and the NTSB during the investigation.