15-5-2024 (JAKARTA) A harrowing incident unfolded on May 15th as a Garuda Indonesia jetliner, carrying 468 souls, was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff due to an engine fire. The dramatic turn of events transpired during the Garuda-1105 flight from Makassar, bound for the holy city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia.
The Boeing 747-400 aircraft, laden with passengers and crew, had barely left the tarmac when the pilot in command made the split-second decision to abort the ascent and return to the point of origin. Garuda Indonesia’s president-director, Irfan Setiaputra, in a statement, cited the prompt action as a necessary precaution following the observation of “sparks of fire” emanating from one of the engines.
2001 built Garuda Indonesia Boeing 747-412 aircraft (ER-BOS), powered by PW PW4056 engines, experienced engine fire while taking-off from Makassar’s Sultan Hasanuddin airport (UPG) earlier today (15 May).
The aircraft was operating flight GA1105, when the no.4 engine snag forced… pic.twitter.com/w1aPHsI3iN
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) May 15, 2024
Amidst the tense moments, the flight crew exhibited remarkable composure, prioritising the safety of the 450 passengers and 18 crew members on board, many of whom were pilgrims embarking on the sacred Hajj journey. Footage circulating on social media, though unverified, appeared to capture the alarming sight of the engine engulfed in flames as the aircraft commenced its takeoff roll.
Irfan Setiaputra confirmed that all passengers and crew disembarked unharmed, temporarily accommodated before being rebooked on a replacement flight later that same day to continue their journey to Saudi Arabia.
The incident has sparked a thorough safety investigation, with the affected aircraft grounded pending a comprehensive probe. Garuda Indonesia, a state-owned airline that suffered substantial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, finds itself grappling with yet another aviation challenge in a nation where air travel is a vital lifeline connecting the sprawling archipelago.
Garuda Indonesia 747-412 returns safely to Makassar Airport in Indonesia after an engine failure during takeoff. pic.twitter.com/VibKqCQosc
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) May 15, 2024
Indonesia’s aviation sector has endured a turbulent history, marred by a string of tragic plane crashes in recent years. The nation’s grim aviation record includes the 2021 Sriwijaya Air Boeing jet crash, which mysteriously plunged into the Java Sea shortly after departing Jakarta, claiming the lives of all 62 people on board.
