Greece (BN24) – A Condor Airlines Boeing 757 was forced into an emergency landing in southern Italy after one of its engines burst into flames mid-flight, terrifying passengers — with one admitting they sent “goodbye texts” to loved ones, fearing the worst.
Flight DE 3665, carrying 273 passengers and eight crew members from Corfu, Greece, to Düsseldorf, Germany, experienced a turbine airflow disruption at about 36,000 feet on Saturday evening, according to German broadcaster WDR. Just after 8 p.m. local time, travelers reported seeing flames shooting from the jet’s right engine.
The flight diverted to Brindisi Airport in southern Italy, touching down safely at 8:15 p.m. — only 40 minutes after takeoff, per FlightRadar24 data.
Passengers described panic in the cabin as the aircraft lost power briefly. “Suddenly, the power went out for a few seconds, and we realized we were no longer climbing,” one passenger told Bild. Another recounted, “It was an incredibly horrible experience. I already sent goodbye texts because I thought, ‘It’s over now.’”
Condor Airlines said the malfunction stemmed from a chemical reaction inside the combustion chamber that disrupted airflow to the engine. Despite dramatic footage circulating on TikTok and other platforms — including clips showing bursts of flame and loud booms — the airline insisted that “none of the guests were ever in danger.”
After landing, passengers and crew faced further disruption. Limited hotel space in Brindisi meant some were forced to spend the night at the airport with vouchers and blankets, while others were later transported to Düsseldorf aboard a replacement aircraft on August 17.
“Unfortunately, there was insufficient hotel capacity in Brindisi, meaning not all guests could be accommodated,” the airline said in a statement. “Passengers who made their own arrangements may submit expenses for reimbursement.”
Condor apologized for the ordeal but stressed that safety was prioritized. “Due to a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by an airflow disturbance, it was precautionarily decided to divert to Brindisi,” the statement read.
The Boeing jet remains grounded for a full technical inspection.
nypost.com
