Boeing Jet Catches Fire Over Miami
Another day, another set of headlines Boeing would love to avoid.
The troubled aircraft company has its public relations team on speed dial again today following a dramatic incident – and social media videos – in which a Boeing jet is seen shooting bright orange flames in the night sky over South Florida.
Aviation News reports Atlas Air flight 5Y95, a Boeing 747-8, suffered engine issues after takeoff from MIA on 18JAN. The flight returned to land back at the airport 14 minutes after takeoff.
"The crew followed all standard procedures and safely returned to MIA," the air-freight company said, adding that it would conduct an inspection to find the cause, Reuters reports.
Unverified videos on various social media showed flames and sparks flying from what appears to be one of the engines on the left side of the plane, which was headed to Puerto Rico.
Boeing is still dealing with bad press regarding the 05JAN incident in which a door plug panel flew off a Boeing 737 MAX 9 over Portland, Oregon. Terrified passengers posted video and photos of the Alaska Airlines plane as pilots steered the stricken craft back to the airport.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration quickly grounded 737 MAX 9 planes flown by Alaska and United. An investigation into Boeing also was launched following news reports of “loose bolts” and other issues on some MAX 9’s.
Associated Press reports that National Transportation Safety Board and FAA officials told a U.S. Senate panel on 17JAN that 40 Boeing planes have been inspected so far.
Meanwhile, Aviation Week states that, following a week of precautionary checks, the Indonesian Transport Ministry has allowed the country’s three Boeing 737-9s to return to service. The aircraft, all operated by Lion Air, were grounded on 06JAN.
