Malaysia Airlines Flight Turns Back After Engine Catches Fire, Passengers Safe
Incident Description
A Malaysia Airlines flight from Manila to Kuala Lumpur turned back to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila after one of its engines caught fire yesterday afternoon, allegedly due to a bird strike. The flight, MH705, safely returned to the airport without any reported injuries or fatalities.
Eyewitness Accounts
One of the passengers, X user @dasunhegoda, attached pictures of the flames from the aircraft’s engine and the plane, which was safely returned to Manila. He expressed gratitude to the pilots and cabin crew for ensuring the safety of the passengers.
Response from Malaysia Airlines
The national carrier’s official X account responded, "We are relieved to hear that you are safe and truly appreciate your understanding during such a difficult situation." Malaysia Airlines reiterated that the safety and wellbeing of passengers was its utmost priority and expressed regret over the disruption to the travel plans of those on the flight.
Additional Accounts
Facebook user Adely Kassim, who was also on the flight, said he saw a "flicker of lights" but did not realize the engine was on fire. He noted that the vibration felt was not normal, but the flight safely returned to the Manila airport.
Video Footage
Separately, Filipino aviation news platform Aviation Updates Philippines posted a video of what appeared to be flames and smoke emitting from the left engine of the aircraft after the suspected bird strike.
Reaction and Response
Malaysia Aviation Group has been reached out to for further comment on the incident. The airline has not publicly commented on the cause of the engine failure or the measures taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of prioritizing passenger safety and the swift response of the pilots and cabin crew in ensuring a safe return to the airport. Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to passenger safety is commendable, and it is reassuring to know that the incident was resolved without any reported injuries or fatalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What caused the engine to catch fire?
- The cause of the engine failure is suspected to be a bird strike, but the exact cause is still under investigation.
- Were there any injuries or fatalities reported?
- No, there were no reported injuries or fatalities.
- How did the airline respond to the incident?
- Malaysia Airlines expressed regret over the disruption to the travel plans of those on the flight and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety.
- Is the airline investigating the incident?
- Yes, the airline has not publicly commented on the cause of the engine failure, but it is likely that an investigation will be conducted to determine the root cause of the incident.