A Boeing 747 cargo plane operated by Atlas Air was forced to make an emergency landing in Miami after experiencing engine failure. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, resulted in the discovery of a softball-sized hole above one of the plane’s engines.
The Atlas Air cargo flight, en route to Puerto Rico with a small crew, left Miami International Airport after 10 p.m. Upon experiencing engine failure, the plane quickly turned around. Witness video footage from Miami captured the aircraft, seemingly partially aflame, flying through the sky.
The emergency landing took place less than an hour after departure, and fortunately, there were no reported injuries to the crew. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed that there was no fire upon landing. The exact cause of the engine malfunction remains unknown at this time.
An Atlas Air spokesperson stated that the crew followed standard procedures, ensuring a safe return to the airport. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will conduct investigations into the incident. The FAA noted the presence of the hole above the second engine in its incident notice. This occurrence adds to Boeing’s recent challenges, as the company faces federal audits and investigations into a January 5 Alaska Airlines flight where a plane part blew out, creating a hole in the aircraft’s side.
