An Air France flight from Fort-de-France to Paris had to turn back shortly after takeoff due to a fire in one of its engines, though there were no injuries reported.
On the night of February 21, Air France flight AF895, which was scheduled to travel from Fort-de-France in Martinique to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, experienced a critical incident after it took off. Just minutes into the flight, the crew detected a serious issue with one of the engines, leading to a quick decision to return to the airport. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing explosions shortly after the takeoff, highlighting the severity of the situation. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely back at the airport without any reported injuries among the 469 passengers on board.
The pilot, Richard Reclus, explained that everything had initially gone smoothly during the departure, but the problem with the right engine arose rapidly within a minute of the flight. Such incidents raise significant concerns about the safety protocols and engineering reliability of commercial flight operations. The prompt action by the crew in recognizing the issue and returning safely to the airport underscored their training and adherence to safety measures, which can often make a difference in critical situations.
In light of this incident, further investigations are expected from Air France and aviation authorities to determine the root cause of the engine fire. This event may have broader implications for the airline's operations and its fleet, as safety is paramount in aviation, and ensuring that such issues are addressed is essential for maintaining public confidence in air travel, especially for a regularly serviced route like Martinique to Paris.
