Terrifying Moment as Boeing Plane Catches Fire Mid-Air with 249 Passengers Onboard

The terrifying moment when a Boeing passenger plane caught fire mid-flight was captured on camera, creating a tense and unsettling scene.

On November 10, a Hainan Airlines flight took off from Rome's Fiumicino Airport at 9:55 am local time. Just after take-off, one of its engines unexpectedly burst into flames.

Footage taken from the ground shows the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner emitting a crackling noise as it passed overhead, with bright orange flames visibly coming from one of its engines.

Witness the intense footage below:

The aircraft, departing from Rome, was on its way to Shenzhen, China, carrying 249 passengers along with 16 crew members on board.

Reports indicate that the plane managed to turn around and make a safe emergency landing back at the airport.

To prepare for the landing, the plane dumped fuel over the sea, a standard safety procedure before an emergency landing.

A statement released by the Italian Coast Guard later confirmed that the plane's engine appeared to have been hit by a bird prior to take-off.

Fortunately, the incident did not lead to any further delays at the airport, according to Reuters.

Orange flames could be seen spitting out from one of the engines X/@JOOP99999

Why are birds such a significant threat to aircraft?

Considering the size difference between a bird and an aircraft, it might seem surprising that birds pose a real danger to airplanes.

However, bird strikes can be very hazardous.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation reports that around 90 percent of bird strikes happen near airports. 

This is because planes are at lower altitudes during take-offs, landings, and other low-altitude flights, increasing the chance of encountering birds.

When a bird collides with an aircraft engine, it can severely damage the fan blades, potentially leading to engine failure, as happened with the Hainan Airlines flight.

To reduce these risks, many airports use wildlife deterrents to keep birds away from runways.

Aircraft manufacturers also test the safety of planes by simulating bird strikes, often by shooting frozen chickens at engines and cabin structures during construction.

Has a bird strike ever caused a plane to crash?

The deadliest incident directly caused by a bird strike occurred on October 4, 1960.

Eastern Air Lines Flight 375 encountered a flock of birds shortly after take-off from Boston airport.

In this tragic event, 62 of the 72 people on board lost their lives, and nine of the ten survivors suffered serious injuries.

Bird strikes are extremely dangerous to aircraft, due to the possibility of engine failure occurring Getty Stock Images

One of the most well-known bird strike incidents was the 2009 emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549.

After a bird strike led to dual engine failure, the pilot successfully landed the plane on the Hudson River, making headlines worldwide.

This remarkable story inspired the 2016 biographical film "Sully: Miracle on the Hudson," capturing the extraordinary events of that day.