Passengers aboard an Air France flight experienced sheer terror this weekend when their aircraft suffered a dramatic engine failure shortly after takeoff, forcing an emergency diversion.
A Nightmare in the Sky
The incident occurred on Air France flight AF 7721, which departed Paris bound for Ajaccio in Corsica. Approximately 30 minutes after takeoff at around 6pm, a loud bang echoed through the cabin, followed by intense vibrations. Passenger Steven described initially thinking it was a joke before the grim reality set in. "My wife next to me was scared. I put my seatbelt back on and tightened it really hard," he said. "We're in a tin can, we're not in control."
Chaos quickly erupted. Christelle, travelling with her daughter, reported seeing flames on the aircraft's wing. "It was in flames," she stated, adding that she felt the plane "plummet". She recounted scenes of panic: "The buttons, everything was lighting up, everything was flashing. There was a man who grabbed his children because they thought we were going to crash." Another traveller, Joelle, confessed she "thought we were going to be smashed to pieces".
Expert Analysis vs. Passenger Accounts
While passengers reported fire and a harrowing descent, the official explanation from an industry expert, cited by Le Parisien, differs. The incident is described as an 'engine surge' – a situation where air pockets form within the engine, causing severe vibrations and compelling the crew to shut it down. Air France itself referred to the event as an 'engine failure'.
The expert clarified that "the wing was not on fire, the engine was not on fire, there was no fire alarm." However, he did not rule out the possibility of momentary, contained flames within the engine nozzle. The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320, equipped with two CFM56 engines, noted as one of the world's most reliable.
Safe Landing and Lasting Trauma
Following procedures, the crew made the decision to divert to Lyon. The landing there "went normally on a single engine," according to the expert, who noted that while not usual, such events do occur in aviation. Passengers were eventually placed on a replacement flight at 10:40pm to Bastia, then bussed to Ajaccio, arriving at 3am.
Despite the safe outcome, the psychological impact was severe. Joelle announced her intention to file a complaint against Air France, detailing the trauma inflicted on her family: "My 8-year-old granddaughter spent the night terrified of me, trembling all over, crying, and waking up from nightmares." The airline stated that all actions were taken in line with manufacturer procedures and the precautionary principle.
