A Hainan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was forced to return to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport shortly after takeoff when the aircraft’s right engine caught fire mid-air. The Shenzhen-bound flight, carrying 249 passengers and 16 crew members, landed safely, with no injuries reported.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff when the plane encountered a bird strike that caused the right engine to ignite, according to Hainan Airlines. “On November 10th, 2024, Hainan Airlines flight HU438 (Rome-Shenzhen) encountered a bird strike on the right engine during takeoff. In order to ensure safety, the crew promptly returned to the airport according to procedures,” the airline stated in a post on X.
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Following the engine fire, the flight crew decided to turn back to Rome. As part of emergency procedures, the aircraft dumped fuel over the sea to reduce landing weight before safely returning to Fiumicino Airport at 11:06 am local time (18:06 Beijing time). Italian Coast Guard officials and airport authorities confirmed that all passengers were unharmed and disembarked in an orderly manner after landing.
The airline has since apologized for the disruption and assured that they will provide follow-up assistance for passengers. “We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences caused by this and we really appreciate all passengers for their understanding and support,” the airline’s statement read.
An airport official reported that the incident caused no delays to other flights departing from Fiumicino. Bird strikes, while not uncommon, can pose serious risks to aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing.
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