Terrified passengers sent “goodbye” texts to loved ones as flames erupted from a Boeing 757’s engine shortly after take-off from the Greek holiday island of Corfu, forcing an emergency landing in Italy on Saturday evening.
The Condor flight DE3665, carrying 273 passengers and eight crew members bound for Düsseldorf, experienced the frightening incident at approximately 1,500 feet when the right engine burst into flames, accompanied by loud explosion-like bangs that could be heard from the ground below.
Dramatic footage captured by witnesses on the ground shows orange flames and sparks shooting from the aircraft’s engine as it flew over Corfu’s port area at around 8pm local time on 16 August. The Boeing 757-300, registration D-ABOK, had just departed from Corfu International Airport when disaster struck.
Passengers Feared the Worst
One passenger aboard the flight told German newspaper Bild about the heart-stopping moment: “Suddenly, the power went out for a few seconds, and we realised we were no longer climbing.”
Another terrified traveller revealed the extent of their fear, saying: “It was an incredibly horrible experience. I already sent goodbye texts because I thought, ‘It’s over now’.”
The crew immediately shut down the affected engine and declared an emergency, squawking the international distress code 7700. Despite initial preparations at Corfu airport for the aircraft’s return, the captain made the decision to continue flying on one engine, diverting to Brindisi in southern Italy.
Loud Explosions Heard from Ground
Residents and tourists in Corfu reported hearing what they described as a “deafening sound, like an explosion” as the aircraft passed overhead. Greek outlet Phileleftheros reported that witnesses saw flames bursting from the engine for several seconds before they abruptly stopped.
TikTok videos posted by eyewitnesses show the dramatic scene, with loud booms audible as the plane descended. Aviation account FL360aero suggested the incident may have been caused by a bird strike, as footage appeared to show the aircraft passing through a flock of birds.
The Boeing 757 climbed to approximately 8,000 feet before turning northwest towards Italy, landing safely at Brindisi Airport about 40 minutes after take-off. Emergency crews were on standby as the aircraft touched down without further incident.
Overnight Airport Ordeal
Whilst all passengers and crew escaped unharmed, their ordeal was far from over. Due to limited hotel availability in Brindisi, many passengers were forced to spend the night on the airport floor.
A Condor spokesperson acknowledged the situation: “Unfortunately, there was insufficient hotel capacity in Brindisi, meaning that not all guests could be accommodated in hotels. Additional vouchers and blankets were organised at the airport, and a few shops were allowed to remain open to provide supplies.”
Passengers who managed to secure their own accommodation have been told they can submit expenses for reimbursement. A replacement Boeing 757-300, registration D-ABOI, was dispatched the following morning to complete the journey to Düsseldorf, finally departing at 12:31pm on Sunday, over 15 hours after the original scheduled arrival time.
Technical Explanation
Condor maintained that the incident posed “no danger to the guests or crew members at any time”, attributing the flames to a technical malfunction rather than an actual engine fire.
A company spokesperson told The Sun: “The reason was a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine. Due to the fault message, it was precautionarily decided to divert to Brindisi.”
Aviation safety website AeroInside reported that the right-hand Rolls-Royce RB211 engine “emitted a series of bangs and streaks of flame”, prompting the crew to perform the emergency shutdown. The 25-year-old aircraft remains grounded in Brindisi as investigators examine the cause of the malfunction.
Boeing 757 Safety Record
The incident adds to growing scrutiny of Boeing aircraft safety, though the 757 has generally maintained a strong safety record throughout its decades of service. The twin-engine narrow-body jet, nicknamed the “Atari Ferrari” by pilots, has been a workhorse of commercial aviation since its introduction in 1983.
According to aviation safety experts, engine shutdowns and diversions, whilst dramatic, are rare but not unprecedented. Pilots are extensively trained to handle such emergencies, and modern twin-engine aircraft are designed to fly safely on a single engine.
The Boeing 757-300 involved in Saturday’s incident is part of Condor’s fleet of seven stretched variants, which are the airline’s only Boeing aircraft. The German leisure carrier operates the weekly Corfu to Düsseldorf route throughout the summer season.
Industry Impact
The frightening incident comes as the aviation industry faces increased pressure over safety standards and ageing aircraft fleets. Earlier this year, the FAA issued new airworthiness directives for Boeing 757 aircraft addressing power transfer unit control valve failures, affecting approximately 467 US-registered aircraft.
Aviation analyst sources suggest the incident could impact consumer confidence in older aircraft models, with potential implications for insurance premiums and regulatory oversight. The event follows other high-profile aviation incidents in 2025, including engine issues on Delta and United Boeing 757 flights earlier this year.
Condor has apologised for the inconvenience whilst emphasising that “passenger safety is our top priority at any given time”. The airline confirmed that the aircraft involved will undergo thorough inspection before returning to service.
As investigations continue into the exact cause of the engine malfunction, passengers who experienced the terrifying ordeal are likely to remember their flight from Corfu for all the wrong reasons. For those who sent goodbye texts to loved ones, the safe landing in Brindisi came as an enormous relief, even if it meant an uncomfortable night on the airport floor.
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