Boeing bursts into flames on Corfu take-off as passengers send 'final texts' [View all]
Source: Mirror
Stunned holidaymakers have described the horror moment a jet engine began erupting fire moments after take-off.
Around 300 people on board a Condor Airlines Boeing 757-300 were left reeling on Saturday night when the plane's right engine started emitting large flames and smoke shortly after leaving Corfu in Greece, with video footage capturing a spluttering fire visible from the ground. Passengers have since revealed how they began sending 'final messages' to their loved ones as smoke rose in front of their windows, fearing they were about to crash.
Flight tracking information shows the plane making a dramatic U-turn before it made an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy.
Those on board faced more misery upon landing when they discovered there was not enough capacity at hotels around the airport, meaning some were forced to sleep on the floor of the terminal. Recounting her experience, one passenger told German newspaper Bild: "I sent goodbye messages thinking it was over. It was a horrible experience.
Condor Airlines, who operated the flight, have said that there was no risk to passengers during the incident. The German airline also denied that an engine explosion had taken place, saying that the fire resulted from a "disturbance in air flow" to the jet, which caused a normal reaction in the combustion chamber to become more visible.
Read more: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-boeing-engine-bursts-flames-35756089