Passengers miraculously escape unharmed after plane bursts into flames on runway
Passengers on board a Peruvian Airlines plane made a miraculous escape after the aircraft burst into flames on the runway following a “forced landing”.
The airline said that all 141 people on the Boeing 737-300 made it off the plane safely, with none seriously injured, despite footage posted on social media showing flames consuming the fuselage and thick plumes of black smoke billowing above.
Reports said the plane veered off the runway, where its landing gear collapsed as it skidded to a stop. Passengers said they felt “two strong impacts” upon arrival, according to the Aviation Herald.
The incident took place at Francisco Carle Airport in Juaja, Peru, about 165 miles east of the capital, Lima, where the aircraft began its journey.
#Urgente. Reportan incendio de #avión Boeing 737 de #PeruvianAirlines en la pista del aeropuerto Francisco Carlé de Jauja (Junín). pic.twitter.com/2VR4F9MOrp
— Julio César Talledo (@JulioTalledoV) March 28, 2017
A statement issued by the airline said that the plane turned to the right and exited the runway. It praised the pilot’s “expertise and the professionalism of [the] cabin crew” in helping avoid a more serious disaster.
Alberto Lopez, a spokesperson for Peruvian Airlines, told ABC News that the plane did not crash. “The plane did not crash. It landed and then the fire was produced once the plane was on the ground but the exact cause of fire will be explained once the investigation has been completed,” he said.
A statement from the Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communication said that the aircraft caught fire after a “forced landing”.
Boeing tweeted early this morning: “We are aware of the incident involving Peruvian Airlines Flight 2036. Our team is currently gathering more information."
