A T’Way Air flight from Narita International Airport in Tokyo to Incheon airport in South Korea turned into a harrowing ordeal as a bird strike led to flames erupting from the starboard engine of the Boeing 737-800 plane. The incident forced the pilot to execute an emergency landing, saving all 122 passengers on board.
According to TBS News Dig, the unexpected trouble occurred around 9:30 pm last Wednesday during the plane’s approach for landing in South Korea. A bird collided with the starboard engine, becoming entangled and causing the engine to catch fire. Disturbing scenes unfolded as flames sputtered and engulfed the engine, prompting the pilot to abort the initial landing attempt.
A video of the frightening incident circulated on social media, capturing the burning plane’s descent towards the airport. Additional footage from local Japanese television stations highlighted the intensity of the flames as the aircraft approached the emergency landing.
Passengers on board described the terror they experienced during the ordeal. One unidentified passenger told TBS News Dig, “My hands were shaking, and my family couldn’t even speak a single word, so I was really scared. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fly again.”
The pilot, demonstrating exceptional skill, aborted the first landing attempt and successfully carried out another, averting potential catastrophe. Emergency services were on standby as the plane touched down safely.
In a separate incident days later, a domestic flight operated by Japan’s All Nippon Airways faced a mid-air emergency. Flight 1182, en route to Toyama airport, returned to Sapporo-New Chitose airport after a crack was discovered on the cockpit window of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Fortunately, none of the 59 passengers and six crew members reported any injuries.
These incidents add to recent concerns surrounding air travel safety, with another Boeing plane, a 737-9 MAX of Alaska Airlines, experiencing an emergency landing earlier this month due to a door opening mid-air shortly after take-off. The aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny over the frequency of these incidents, emphasizing the importance of stringent safety measures and maintenance protocols.
Sources By Agencies