Photo by The Star-ANN
MANILA, Philippines – A Malaysian domestic plane packed with local football players narrowly averted another air tragedy when one of its engines caught fire while airborne.
The Star Online reported Wednesday that a Malindo Air flight had to turn back because the ATR 72-600 plane’s turboprop engine caught fire.
Fortunately, other reports said, the pilot acted fast and switched off the burning engine.
The plane was boarded mostly of members of the Terengganu football team who were returning home after winning a match.
According to The Star Online, “Terengganu midfielder Faiz Subri posted a picture of the burning engine and said the plane turned back and landed in Subang Airport” in Selangor on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
The report said all passengers on the 7.30 a.m. flight were safe.
Malaysia is still mourning over the crash of Malaysia Airlines 370 and the news about the pilot’s heroic effort to avoid another aviation accident was seen to provide a relief to its citizens.
The members of the football team were due to return to Kuala Terengganu on Wednesday after beating ATM FA 3-0 at the Selayang Stadium on Tuesday, The Star Online reported.
According to Terengganu FA staff, the players posted pictures of the
incident on their social media pages.
According to a statement on the Terengganu FA’s website, the team took a replacement flight back to Kuala Terengganu at 10 a.m. The Star Online
RELATED STORY
Malaysia jet crash remains a mystery