A cargo Boeing 747 faced an emergency landing on Thursday night in Miami after witnesses observed flames emanating from the aircraft in the night sky.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), already investigating Boeing following an Alaska Airlines emergency landing this month due to a door plug detachment midair, announced on Friday that it will scrutinize the recent incident involving an Atlas Air flight.
Atlas Air explained that Flight 5Y095, en route to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico, safely landed after encountering an engine malfunction post-departure from Miami International Airport.
Ensuring adherence to standard procedures, Atlas Air emphasized its commitment to safety and pledged to conduct a comprehensive inspection to ascertain the root cause.
The FAA disclosed that the plane departed at 10:22 p.m. ET on Thursday and returned to Miami at 10:30 p.m.
An NBC News source revealed a preliminary examination uncovering a “softball-sized hole above the #2 engine” on the Atlas Air aircraft.
Cellphone footage shared on Instagram by a Miami resident displayed the plane in the night sky, seemingly trailing fire behind it.
Residents, including Melanie Adaros near Miami Executive Airport, witnessed the unusual sight during a walk, prompting concerns.
Atlas Air, known for transporting various cargo types and facilitating large passenger charters, has a history of high-profile clients, according to its website.
This incident adds to Boeing’s recent challenges, coming shortly after the Alaska Airlines emergency, which led to FAA grounding specific Boeing 737 Max 9 planes across the U.S., causing widespread travel disruptions.
With ongoing inspections of the grounded planes, the FAA stressed that safety, not speed, would determine the aircraft’s return to service.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed its investigation into the Atlas Air incident, while Boeing pledged support for the customer and cooperation with the NTSB’s inquiry into the Miami incident.
