Latest: Boeing Cargo Plane Successfully Makes Emergency Landing in Miami

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be launching an investigation following an emergency landing of a cargo plane in Miami due to an engine malfunction. A video circulating on TikTok showed the plane on fire in mid-air, although the local fire department confirmed that there was no fire when the aircraft touched down.

The cargo plane, Atlas Air Flight 95, a Boeing 747-8, was en route to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico when the crew reported an engine failure. It landed safely at Miami International Airport (MIA) around 10:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 18. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue dispatched six units to the airport in response to the “hazardous situation” and remained on standby when the plane landed. However, according to the fire department spokesperson, there was no fire upon landing. The TikTok video, shared by Associated Press but not independently verified, shows the plane with a streak of orange light behind it as it flies through the night sky. A Miami resident named Melanie Adaros claimed to have recorded the video and can be heard expressing shock.

The FAA has confirmed that it will investigate the incident. Atlas Air, the company operating the cargo plane, stated that the crew followed all standard procedures and safely returned to MIA. They emphasized that safety is their top priority and that a thorough inspection will be conducted. The company did not disclose the number of people on board the aircraft.

Boeing, the manufacturer of the plane, stated that they are supporting their customer and will assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their investigation. The engine involved in the incident was made by GE Aviation. As of now, there has been no comment from GE Aviation.

The year 2024 has already presented challenges in aviation safety, particularly for Boeing aircraft. On Jan. 5, a door plug on a Boeing 787 MAX 9 plane blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight, resulting in an emergency landing. Alaska Airlines grounded all its 787 MAX 9 planes for safety inspections, and the FAA issued a grounding order for all models of the plane in the country. The investigation into this incident is being conducted by the NTSB, while the FAA is investigating Boeing’s manufacturing and production lines, including that of its subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems. Passengers on the affected flight have filed lawsuits against Alaska Airlines and Boeing.

In another incident, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had to change planes on Jan. 17 after experiencing a reported critical failure on his Boeing 737 while leaving the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

The FAA’s investigation into the cargo plane’s emergency landing in Miami will shed light on the cause of the engine malfunction, ensuring the safety of future flights.