No injuries were reported after an Atlas Air flight carrying more than 200 people had to return to Honolulu after experiencing engine problems Saturday evening, officials said. Video shared on social media showed passengers sitting in a pitch-black cabin as lights and flames flashed outside the windows.
Reportedly repeated compressor stalls/surges, caused the engine emitted bangs and streaks of flames, forcing the crew to declare an emergency.
The pilot of the Atlas Air Boeing 767, a military charter with 212 people aboard, was forced to stop its climb at 2,000 feet declare an emergency and return to Honolulu, landing without incident about 30 minutes after take off.
A passenger aboard the aircraft filmed a pretty impressive video that flames flashing from outside the window during the emergency.
The flight landed safely at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport following a mechanical issue with one engine, said Debbie Coffey, vice-president and chief communications officer for Atlas Air.
“At Atlas, safety is always our top priority and we will be conducting a thorough inspection to determine the cause,” Coffey said.
Atlas Air is a Purchase, Harrison, New York based cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor.