FILE PHOTO: Grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are seen parked in an aerial photo at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, U.S. July 1, 2019.
China's hypersonic jet is said to be larger than a Boeing 747. (Photo: REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo)

An Atlas Air flight bound for Puerto Rico was forced to make an emergency landing at Miami International Airport on Thursday night due to engine failure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) discovered a "softball-sized hole" above one of the engines during a post-flight inspection, raising serious safety concerns.

Atlas Air Flight 95, operating a Boeing 747, had departed from Miami but encountered engine problems shortly after takeoff. The crew reported an engine fire and requested immediate return to Miami International Airport. The FAA confirmed that the flight landed safely around 10:30 p.m., with no injuries reported among the five souls on board.

Dramatic footage captured by a witness and shared by Only in Dade shows flames emanating from one of the aircraft's engines. The mayday calls made to air traffic control, obtained by NBC6, further underscore the severity of the situation, with the pilot declaring, "Mayday, mayday...We have an engine fire."

 

In response to the incident, the FAA has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the engine failure and the resulting damage. Atlas Air has also stated its commitment to safety and the thorough inspection process underway.

This incident comes amid other recent concerns involving Boeing aircraft. Earlier in the month, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, operated by Alaska Airlines, had to make an emergency landing after a panel was torn off the side of the plane, leading to a broader investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into the model. This has brought Boeing under increased scrutiny, with the FAA grounding 40 out of 171 MAX 9 planes for re-inspection.

Boeing has responded by conducting its own review and has appointed Admiral Kirkland H. Donald as a special advisor to President and CEO Dave Calhoun. Donald and his team are set to assess the quality management system for Boeing's commercial airplanes, with their findings to be reported to both Calhoun and the Aerospace Safety Committee of Boeing's Board of Directors.

This series of incidents involving Boeing aircraft highlights ongoing concerns in aviation safety and quality management. The FAA and NTSB's investigations into these incidents are critical to ensuring the safety and reliability of commercial aircraft. As the aviation industry continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining stringent safety standards remains paramount to protect passengers and crew.

The emergency landing of Atlas Air Flight 95 serves as a reminder of the importance of robust safety protocols and the need for continuous oversight and improvement in aircraft design and maintenance. As the investigations proceed, the findings will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future and in reinforcing public confidence in air travel.