Hainan Airlines Boeing strikes bird, engine catches fire VIDEO

A Hainan Airlines Boeing 787-7 Dreamliner was forced to make an emergency landing in Rome after a bird strike caused an engine fire shortly after takeoff.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning, November 10, when flight HU438, travelling from Rome to Shenzhen, China, encountered a bird strike during its initial climb, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The bird strike ignited flames in the aircraft's right engine, and the flight crew immediately initiated emergency procedures, including returning to Fiumicino Airport in Rome. Video footage shared on social media platforms showed the Dreamliner flying with visible smoke and flames trailing from its right engine.

To ensure the safety of all onboard, the plane made a U-turn and spent 54 minutes circling over the Tyrrhenian Sea to dump fuel, thereby reducing the aircraft’s weight in preparation for the emergency landing. FlightAware tracking data showed the aircraft's flight path as it circled before returning to Rome.

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The plane landed safely at 11:06 am local time (18:06 Beijing time), and all 249 passengers and 16 crew members disembarked without injury. 

Hainan Airlines confirmed the incident and issued a statement expressing appreciation for the passengers' understanding, while also apologizing for the inconvenience caused. "We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences caused by this, and we really appreciate all passengers for their understanding and support," the airline stated.

Following the incident, the Boeing 787-7 will remain grounded until an investigation into the bird strike and subsequent engine fire is conducted.

This bird strike incident in Rome is the latest in a series of emergency landings caused by similar occurrences. In May 2024, an Emirates Boeing 777 struck a flock of protected flamingos while flying over western India, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 flamingos. That incident, which occurred near Mumbai, also prompted an emergency landing with over 300 passengers onboard.

By Tamilla Hasanova