Passengers Send “Goodbye” Texts as Plane Explodes Mid-Air

On August 17, a routine flight from Corfu, Greece, to Düsseldorf, Germany, aboard Condor Airlines’ Boeing 757 (Flight DE 3665) turned into a nightmare when passengers and observers on the ground witnessed flames erupting intermittently from the plane’s right engine.

This unsettling sight was captured in viral footage and set off panic alarms both on board and below.

Panic Breaks Out on Board

Passengers reported sudden power loss and a failure to climb further. One traveler recalled the terrifying moment: “The power went out for a few seconds, and we realized we were no longer climbing.”

Another, overcome with fear, sent “goodbye texts” to loved ones, believing the situation was fatal.

A Swift Response to a Sudden Threat

Despite the shock, the pilots turned the aircraft around within minutes and executed a controlled emergency landing at Brindisi Airport in southern Italy—just 40 minutes after takeoff.

The aircraft touched down safely at approximately 8:15 p.m., and all 273 passengers and eight crew members disembarked without injury or chaos.

What Caused the Blaze—But Not a Fire

Condor later clarified that the spectacle wasn’t an actual engine fire. Instead, a chemical reaction occurred in the combustion chamber, amplified by a disruption in turbine airflow.

Though startling, this reaction posed no real danger.

A spokesperson explained that a parameter reading went outside of the normal range—prompting an emergency diversion as a precaution. Fire crews were standing by on the runway, and airport operations resumed shortly after everyone cleared.

Aftermath: Stranded in Italy Overnight

With hotel rooms scarce in Brindisi, many stranded passengers slept at the airport. The airline arranged blankets, vouchers, and kept airport shops open to offer food and comfort.

A replacement aircraft brought all travelers safely to Düsseldorf the following day. Condor emphasized that passenger safety remained its top priority throughout the incident.

A Chilling Reminder of Aviation Vulnerability

Seeing flames trail from an aircraft’s engine is rare and deeply unsettling.

Even when systems function correctly and safety protocols are executed flawlessly—as they were—moments like this underline humankind’s fragility and the importance of rigorous maintenance and swift pilot response.

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