MAKASSAR- A Boeing 747 had to turn back after flames were seen emanating from its engine during takeoff.
Disturbing footage captured the moment when flames streaked from the engine as the Garuda Indonesia (GA) flight, carrying 468 passengers, departed.
Boeing 747 Engine Flames
A video shared by Indonesian news sources depicts the No. 4 engine igniting into flames as the jet ascends from the runway. Quickly thereafter, the flames subside, and the aircraft continues its ascent.
Social media images reveal scorch marks on the aircraft’s pylon, with a portion of the rear cowling seemingly absent.
The flight had taken off from Makassar, Indonesia, en route to Medina, Saudi Arabia. The Boeing 747-400 aircraft had 18 crew members and 450 passengers on board, many of whom were traveling for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
A Garuda Indonesia spokesperson reported that the aircraft promptly returned to the airport after a fire was observed in one of the engines. The plane safely landed at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport around 5:15 PM on May 15, with no injuries reported.
Garuda Indonesia President Irfan Setiaputra stated, “The captain detected a fire in one of the engines and promptly decided to return for further inspection to assess the engine’s condition. This decision was made immediately after takeoff.”
The airline accommodated the affected passengers, with some taking alternative flights to Saudi Arabia later that day. The aircraft was grounded at the airport for safety inspections.
According to Cirium fleets data, ER-BOS is equipped with four Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines. The aircraft is under the management of Aquiline International, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, and was manufactured in 2001.
Similar Incident
In another incident, a Boeing jet was captured on video with flames similar to the ones seen ‘bursting’ from the engine during takeoff from Miami (MIA) in January.
The Boeing 747-8 cargo jet seemed to experience an engine fire, leading to an emergency landing.
Authorities attributed the incident to a ‘malfunction’ and confirmed that the crew adhered to all standard procedures. The issue was resolved promptly, allowing the plane to continue its journey to Puerto Rico later that evening.
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