Engine fire forces plane to make emergency landing

A plane that was forced to make an emergency landing after a fire started in one of its engines prompted frightened passengers to unite in prayer.

Cathay Pacific Airways Flight 715 bound for Jakarta from Singapore was 20 minutes into its journey early Monday morning when pilots were alerted to “a stall warning from the No.2. engine”, the airline said.

Crew immediately shut down the engine and the plane was forced to abort its journey.

On the ground at Singapore’s Changi airport, the Airbus A330-300 was attended to by fire crews, who doused the damaged engine with fire extinguishers. Minutes after, relieved passengers disembarked the plane.



According to pilot Bradley Chic, the plane’s starboard engine, made by Rolls-Royce, was burnt.

Reuters photographer named Beawiharta, who was flying with his family and 136 other passengers, prepared for the worst.

Speaking of the terrifying ordeal onboard the blazing aircraft, he told how he heard two sharp bangs and the plane began shaking violently. He also recalled that a burning smell filled the aircraft.

Passengers reportedly chanted: “God, save our flight! Give us your protection!”

[Video: Plane hit by lightning caught on video]

In response to the incident, a Cathay Pacific spokesman said in a statement that the pilot and crew were in control of the situation at all times.

“They reacted exactly as they are trained to do, shut down the affected engine and returned the aircraft safely to Singapore.”

“Our captain was full of praise for the calm and co-operative manner of the passengers. We are very grateful for their calm and orderly response to the situation.”

Cathay Pacific and Rolls Royce are now investigating the incident which has been reported to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department.

There were no reports of injuries following the engine trouble.