Boeing 747-8 Freighter Makes Emergency Landing in Miami After Engine Fire
On January 18, 2024, a Boeing 747-8 freighter operated by the American cargo airline Atlas Air made an emergency landing in Miami due to an engine fire shortly after takeoff. The cargo plane was flying from Miami International Airport to San Juan, Puerto Rico late Thursday when the pilot made an emergency call to the control center to report an engine fire and request to return to Miami International Airport.
The plane, which had a crew of five on board, landed safely and no injuries were reported. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the accident.
A post-flight inspection revealed a softball-sized hole above the engine, according to the FAA. The NTSB has launched an investigation and is gathering information to evaluate and determine the scope of the investigation. Unverified videos on social media platform showed the aircraft taxiing before takeoff at Payne Field in Everett, Washington.
Atlas’ Boeing 747-8 is eight years old and powered by four General Electric Co. GEnx engines, according to the FAA. GE Aerospace said it was providing technical assistance to the FAA and NTSB investigations. Boeing said it was providing support to Atlas and “will support the NTSB’s investigation of this incident.”
The accident comes at the start of a year with two high-profile jetliner accidents, including an Airbus A350 operated by Japan Airlines colliding with a Coast Guard plane in Tokyo, killing five crew members, and an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 making an emergency landing after a cabin panel burst.
Atlas Air, whose clients include package delivery giant DHL and FedEx, was acquired as a private company last year by a group of private investors led by private equity firm Apollo Global Management. The cause of the engine fire is still under investigation, and inspections will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident.