Garuda Indonesia flight to Saudi Arabia makes emergency landing due to engine fire

Post by : Elena Malik

Photo : X / @aviationbrk

A Boeing 747-400 flight bound for Medina encountered a harrowing ordeal when it was compelled to return to Makassar airport due to an engine fire. Garuda Indonesia, the country's flag carrier, disclosed that Flight Garuda-1105, with 468 passengers aboard, faced the emergency situation shortly after takeoff.

According to Garuda President Director Irfan Setiaputra, the decision to return to Makassar was swiftly made by the Pilot in Command, who detected engine problems necessitating further examination. Sparks of fire emanating from one of the engines prompted immediate action to ensure the safety of all onboard.

Among the 450 passengers and 18 crew members were individuals embarking on the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Despite the unsettling turn of events, all passengers emerged unscathed from the incident. They were promptly accommodated before being ushered onto a replacement flight bound for their intended destination later that day.

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Footage circulating on social media purportedly captures the alarming moment when the aircraft's engine ignited as it ascended into the sky. Although yet to be verified, the video underscores the gravity of the situation.

In response to the incident, Garuda Indonesia grounded the affected aircraft pending a thorough safety investigation. The airline, grappling with substantial losses amid the Covid-19 pandemic, was forced to ground the majority of its fleet due to travel restrictions and diminished demand. This economic downturn led to the unfortunate necessity of laying off hundreds of employees, underscoring the broader challenges faced by the aviation industry during these turbulent times.