Terrifying Video Shows Flames Shooting From Plane's Engines As Passengers Say They Sent 'Goodbye Texts'

Passengers onboard were so terrified that many sent desperate last messages to their families after the aircraft they were flying on suddenly appeared to catch fire.

Those traveling from Corfu, Greece, to Düsseldorf, Germany, found themselves living through a nightmare situation that most people only ever hear about but hope they never face.

The Condor Airlines flight was forced to make an unexpected emergency landing in Italy after people on the ground spotted flames bursting from the plane’s engine as it crossed the sky.

According to local outlet WDR, the Boeing 757 had 273 passengers and eight crew members onboard when it started experiencing a disruption in turbine airflow. This occurred while the plane was cruising at about 36,000 feet on Saturday, August 17.

The disturbance caused the engine to appear as if it had ignited, with bursts of fire visible after takeoff. The terrifying sight left one passenger so convinced that the end was near that they sent a farewell text message to loved ones.

The plane could be seen with what looked like fire coming out of its engine Viral Press

One traveler on Flight DE 3665 described seeing flames shoot out from the right wing shortly after 8 p.m., according to Bild.

"Suddenly, the power went out for a few seconds, and we realized we were no longer climbing," one passenger recalled to the outlet. Another added: "It was an incredibly horrible experience. I already sent goodbye texts because I thought, 'It's over now.'"

After the flames were spotted, the flight crew quickly diverted. Just fifteen minutes later, the aircraft landed safely at Brindisi Airport in southern Italy, roughly forty minutes after departing, according to data from FlightRadar24.

The frightening situation was later explained by Condor Airlines, which stressed that despite how it looked, passengers were never in actual danger. The airline said it was caused by ‘a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine’ rather than a full-blown fire.

"The reason was a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine," a statement from Condor Airlines explained. "Due to the fault message, it was precautionarily decided to divert to Brindisi. The aircraft landed around 8.15pm at Brindisi Airport, and all guests disembarked the aircraft normally."

The airline spokesperson added that what occurred was linked to a reaction inside the engine’s combustion chamber, and that a full technical inspection is now underway to confirm the details.

"We can confirm that media reports about an engine combusted in fire are FALSE." they clarified. "What happened was a reaction near the engine that normally takes place in the engine's combustion chamber leading to a visible reaction at the rear of the engine. This posed no danger to the guests at any time."

Footage captured from the ground shows the aircraft passing overhead with the engine flaring at intervals, each burst creating bright flashes before fading out again.

One TikTok user shared a clip with the sound of loud booms ringing out as the plane passed, writing alongside the video: "I was just chilling … then realized a plane was literally fighting fire in front of me."

Condor Airlines issued a statement about the situation Viral Press

Once on the ground, however, not all passengers had an easy time, as many found themselves stranded in Brindisi without enough available hotel rooms for the night.

"Unfortunately, there was insufficient hotel capacity in Brindisi, meaning that not all guests could be accommodated in hotels," the airline explained to reporters.

"Additional vouchers and blankets were organized at the airport, and a few shops were allowed to remain open to provide supplies. Passengers who took advantage of alternative accommodation options can submit their expenses for reimbursement."

Condor Airlines also confirmed that ‘another Condor aircraft was dispatched to carry all guests to Düsseldorf’ later that same day, ensuring travelers were finally able to reach their destination.

The airline later issued an apology to everyone affected, adding that passenger safety remains its highest priority at all times.