El Al Boeing 747 Blows Engine, Makes Emergency Landing at Heathrow
The El Al Boeing 747-400 - Serial#: 4X-ELD (photo: planepictures.net)
An El Al Boeing 747 jumbo jet blew one of its engines shortly after takeoff this morning from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) forcing it to return while reports say it spewed smoke and flames.
El Al Flight 318 was about 20 minutes in to its climb out after takeoff and headed to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred. The 747′s outboard right-hand Pratt and Whitney PW-4056 engine blew out and according to several passengers was shooting out smoke and flames.
Heathrow emergency personnel were dispatched to the runway as Flight 318 made an emergency landing.
The Boeing 747 landed without incident and no passengers were reported injured, but some were very scared:
“It was a nightmare and a horror. We thought we were going to crash,” said an unnamed passenger after the ordeal.
El Al released a brief statement saying no passengers were ever in danger, and they are being put on a later flight.
This particular 747 is 13 years old.
El Al 747 Plane Registration: 4X-ELD
Category: Airnation
Comments (16)
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At least it was contained!
I would love to see that engine right now. :)
Haha, me too. I’d imagine it looks pretty rough depending how much fire there really was. You know how these passengers get, “There were FLAMES, and a fireball!!” LOL
From prior experience having been an A&P, I hope their maintenance records are spot on, or someone’s about to get stuffed in the hurt locker.
How many cycles does a engine like that run before risk of a major break Phil?
You’re asking the wrong person Kenneth. I worked on Blackhawks in the Army, so big turbofans like on a 747 are not my forte. I do know that the accident investigation is going to grill maintenance if they’re not up to par. CYA time.
Blackhawks eh? Nice!
Here’s a pic of the engine:
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=17244
Wow Kenneth, that’s crazy!! I’m assuming one of the front fan blades was damaged? Looks like the cowling did a great job of containing it, though.
Here’s another shot of the engine:
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=17352
nevermind, wrong incident picture! Very similar damage, though…
wait, LOL it is the same engine! But the pics above are of the engine during an incident in ’07 when it hit a truck on the taxiway.
Really? Hmm. Ok. I was told this was from El Al 318.
I guess it’s bull#@#. Flightglobal is usually accurate.
I did a google search for El Al 747 engine and these pics came up, I guess no ones posted pics of the new incident, I’m excited to see them though!
That dang internet! :)