A Condor Airlines flight was compelled to execute an emergency landing in Italy after the plane’s engine ignited shortly after departure, causing panic among passengers, some of whom sent farewell messages to their loved ones. The Boeing 757, which was transporting 273 passengers and eight crew members from Corfu, Greece, to Düsseldorf, Germany, encountered a disruption in turbine airflow at an altitude of approximately 36,000 feet during its Saturday flight.
Passengers on Flight DE 3665 began to observe flames emanating from the right wing of the plane just after 8 p.m. local time. The flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Brindisi Airport in southern Italy at 8:15 p.m. local time, a mere 40 minutes after takeoff.
According to a representative from the airline, the malfunction was triggered by a chemical reaction that occurred within the combustion chamber. One passenger recounted the terrifying experience, stating that the power went out for a few seconds and they realized they were no longer ascending. Another passenger admitted to sending goodbye texts, fearing the worst.
The aircraft is currently undergoing a technical inspection. Unverified videos on social media seem to show the aircraft’s right engine intermittently flashing flames. One TikTok video, captured by a bystander in Italy, recorded the jet making loud noises during the malfunction.
Following the unexpected landing, passengers and crew members were either accommodated in a hotel or spent the night at the airport before another aircraft transported them to Germany the next morning. The airline acknowledged that due to limited availability in Brindisi, some passengers were not provided with hotel accommodations.
The airline also organized additional vouchers and blankets at the airport, and a few shops were permitted to stay open to provide supplies. Passengers who sought alternative accommodation options can submit their expenses for reimbursement. The airline assured that none of the passengers onboard the flight were ever in danger.
The airline explained that the issue was due to a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine. As a precautionary measure, it was decided to divert to Brindisi. The aircraft landed around 8.15pm at Brindisi Airport, and all guests disembarked the aircraft normally. Another Condor aircraft was dispatched to transport all guests to Düsseldorf on August 17. Condor Airlines apologized for any inconvenience caused, emphasizing that the safety of their passengers and employees is always their top priority.