Rome: A Hainan Airlines flight reportedly caught fire mid-air on Sunday. The video of the incident also surfaced online. The right engine of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated by the Chinese carrier caught fire shortly after takeoff from Rome’s Fiumicino airport, an Italian airport official and the Coast Guard said as reported by Reuters.
The plane was travelling to the Chinese city of Shenzhen and reportedly had 249 passengers and 16 crew members onboard. The plane then took a U-turn and landed safely. The fuel was dumped over the sea.
Video Of The Incident:
🚨Flight Update:@HainanAirlines#B787#HU438 from #Rome to #Shenzhen returned safely to #Fiumicino after a bird strike on the right engine (#2) during takeoff. B-1119 experienced multiple engine surges shortly after departure RNY16R.After holding,landed safely. #AviationSafetypic.twitter.com/ELwuS7ZlZ6
— Antony Ochieng,KE✈️ (@Turbinetraveler) November 10, 2024
It seemed that the aircraft was stuck by a bird, an Italian Coast Guard said in a statement as reported by Reuters. Notably, bird strikes are relatively common, yet dangerous threats to aircraft.
The plane, took off at 9:55 am local time. "On November 10th, 2024, Hainan Airlines flight HU438 (Rome-Shenzhen) encountered a bird strike on the right engine during takeoff. In order to ensure safety, the crew promptly returned to the airport according to procedures," the airline said in a statement.
There was no delay in air traffic due to the incident.