Boeing Condor Plane Forced to Make Emergency Landing Due to Engine Fire

A midair plane engine fire forced a Boeing Condor 757 to make an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy, after taking off from Corfu. Flames were seen from the engine, causing passengers to fear for their lives and send goodbye texts. The incident was linked to a disruption in turbine airflow. Passengers described their fear during the emergency landing, and the airline apologized for inconvenience caused. The Boeing Condor 757 involved in the incident is undergoing technical inspection.

A Boeing Condor 757 was forced to make an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy, after a midair engine fire occurred shortly after takeoff from Corfu. The incident, which happened on August 16, 2025, involved a flight from Corfu to Düsseldorf, carrying 273 passengers and eight crew members. The aircraft, flight DE3665, experienced a disruption in turbine airflow, causing flames to be seen from the right engine [1].

The aircraft took off from Corfu’s Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport at 8:19 pm local time and reached 36,000 feet when the incident occurred. The pilots decided to divert to Brindisi, landing there at 9:23 pm local time. The landing was completed without injuries, and passengers were kept at the airport overnight due to a shortage of hotel rooms in the area [2].

Condor Airlines issued a statement confirming that the incident was not an actual fire inside the engine but rather a disturbance in the airflow supply, which triggered a parameter warning. The airline stressed that the safety of passengers and crew was the top priority and that the emergency procedures were followed as a precaution [2].

The Boeing Condor 757 involved in the incident is undergoing technical inspection to determine the cause of the airflow disruption. Investigators are expected to confirm the cause of the diversion and precautionary landing [3].

Passengers described their fear during the emergency landing, with some reporting that power briefly went out and the aircraft stopped climbing. Others sent goodbye texts, believing the flight was about to crash. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused and provided vouchers, blankets, and kept airport shops open for supplies. Passengers who arranged their own stay were told they could apply for reimbursement [2].

This incident highlights ongoing concerns over the aging Boeing 757 model, which has experienced several engine fires in recent years. In July, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 bound for Atlanta was forced to return to Los Angeles after its left engine erupted in flames. In 2022, a Boeing 757-200 cargo aircraft operated by DHL skidded off a runway and broke apart after an emergency landing in Costa Rica [1].

The Boeing 757, known by the nickname "Atari Ferrari" for its once state-of-the-art avionics, remains in use by several carriers despite production ending nearly 20 years ago. The model's increasing failures have raised questions about its safety and reliability [1].

References:
[1] https://interestingengineering.com/culture/boeing-757-catches-fire-mid-air
[2] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/midair-plane-engine-fire-boeing-condor-emergency-landing-corfu-brindisi-dusseldorf-passengers-brindisi-anyone-survive-goodbye-texts-boeing-condor-757-aircraft/articleshow/123396220.cms
[3] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/midair-plane-engine-fire-boeing-condor-emergency-landing-corfu-brindisi-dusseldorf-passengers-brindisi-anyone-survive-goodbye-texts-boeing-condor-757-aircraft/articleshow/123396220.cms?from=mdr