On January 21st, a Sichuan Airlines flight from Changchun to Chengdu experienced an engine failure with flames erupting from the right engine during ascent.
The crew promptly responded, and the aircraft circled for nearly two hours before returning to land at Changchun Longjia International Airport. On January 22nd, Sichuan Airlines responded, stating that the flight returned due to a malfunction alarm and no reports of passenger injuries were received.
A passenger reported on a platform that at 12:44 PM on January 21st, the flight (3U8424) experienced engine trouble with unusual sounds and possible flames. The plane circled for about two hours but did not land at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport as planned, instead returning to Changchun Longjia International Airport.
Another passenger mentioned that during ascent, the right engine emitted a significant amount of flames. The crew swiftly used the aircraft’s fire suppression system to extinguish the engine fire.
The plane interrupted its ascent, circled at 2400 meters north of Changchun, and coordinated with Longjia International Airport control. At 2:32 PM on the same day, the pilot safely landed the plane at Longjia International Airport.
An eyewitness on January 21st recalled witnessing the right engine of flight 3U8424 spewing flames shortly after takeoff from Longjia International Airport. The flight circled for about two hours before landing at the same airport.
According to the travel app, the aircraft involved was an Airbus A321-200 (N), and it eventually arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport on January 21st, 22:10, delayed by 7 hours and 35 minutes.
Sichuan Airlines staff stated that due to a malfunction alarm on January 21st, flight 3U8424 safely landed at Longjia International Airport at 2:33 PM. The airline arranged an alternative flight, and no reports of passenger injuries were received. Source: Shenyang Evening News.
