US flight engine catches fire mid-air, makes emergency landing

In a shocking incident, a bird strike sparked an engine fire on a plane shortly after it took off from an Ohio airport in US on Sunday. It then flew back to the same airport and made an emergency landing there. However, no injuries have been reported so far.

The video of the entire incident has gone viral on various social media platforms where it showed the aircraft caught fire shortly after its take-off.

Taken from Upper Arlington, Ohio. AA1958. pic.twitter.com/yUSSMImaF7

— CBUS4LIFE (@Cbus4Life) April 23, 2023

According to airport authorities, American Airlines flight 1958 had departed from John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus around 7:45 am and was headed to Phoenix. The fire was detected a short time later and the Boeing 737 returned to the airport, where firefighters quickly doused the flames, reported Associated Press.

"Emergency crews responded to an aircraft incident at CMH this morning involving a reported engine fire. The aircraft landed safely and the airport is open and operational," airport authorities said on Twitter.

Emergency crews responded to an aircraft incident at CMH this morning involving a reported engine fire. The aircraft landed safely and the airport is open and operational. pic.twitter.com/EeCJzfbVjA

— John Glenn Intl Airport (@columbusairport) April 23, 2023

It wasn't clear how many passengers and crew members were aboard the aircraft. The airline said the plane was taken out of service for maintenance and it was working to get the passengers on other flights. Airport officials said the facility remained operating as usual and the fire only caused some minor flight delays.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate into the incident.

(with PTI inputs)