An Atlas Air Boeing 747-8 freighter, registered N859GT, operating as flight 5Y95, experienced a harrowing ordeal when its No. 2 engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport (MIA) on Friday, 19 January 2024.
What caused Atlas Air flight engine fire?
PLEASE NOTE: The third-party content below is shared on our platform for journalistic purposes. Swisher Post, its parent company, partners and affiliates shall not be held liable for any consequence that arises from the journalistic duties performed in sharing this content.
The flight, which was headed towards Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, had to promptly return to Miami for an emergency landing.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-87UF cargo freighter, is an eight-year-old widebody belonging to Atlas Air, the world’s largest operator of Boeing 747 widebody ‘jumbo jet’ aircraft.
Atlas Air boasts over 30 years of operational experience and services more than 300 destinations globally. The dramatic incident involved an aircraft operated by a crew of five members, all of whom managed the emergency professionally and effectively.
The incident unfolded in the night sky when, shortly after a 22:33 EST (05:33 CAT) departure, passengers and onlookers observed alarming flames trailing from the aircraft’s engine.
ALSO READ – Watch: Airlink passengers survive alarming ‘wet runway’ incident at Pemba Airport
Flight data revealed that the climb was terminated before the aircraft reached 4,000 feet, indicating a swift reaction to the unfolding emergency.
The crew swiftly initiated a circuit and steered the aircraft back to Miami, achieving a safe landing on Runway 09 approximately 15 minutes after the distressing event began.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue was quick to respond to the emergency, and, fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
The rapid and effective response of the flight crew and emergency services ensured the safety of all involved and demonstrated exemplary emergency management skills.
Social media was abuzz with video footage and images of the incident, capturing the tense moments as flames visibly emanated from the freighter’s engine.
Watch the footage below: