THIS is the terrifying moment a Boeing 737’s engine appeared to catch fire in mid-air as passengers screamed in terror.
Travellers were warned to prepare for an emergency landing as the cabin filled with smoke after an engine is thought to have caught fire following a bird strike.
The packed aircraft was forced to return to the Cuban capital Havana shortly after take-off.
Mobile phone footage captured by passengers on board showed them fitting oxygen masks in poor visibility on board the plane because of the smoke filling the air.
Firefighters were filmed dousing the aircraft with water after it landed and passengers exited using emergency slides.
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There were no reports of any serious casualties.
An investigation was underway today.
The drama happened on board a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 shortly after flight 3923 left Havana’s Jose Marti airport around midday local time on Sunday for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Flight attendants could be overheard telling passengers to stay calm after the pilot announced they were returning to Havana.
A spokesman for Southwest, quoted in local media, said: “Southwest flight 3923 departing Havana, Cuba, for Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday morning reportedly experienced bird strikes to an engine and the aircraft's nose shortly after takeoff.
“The pilots safely returned to Havana, where customers evacuated the aircraft via slides due to the observation of smoke in the cabin.
“The customers and crew were bussed to the terminal and will be accommodated on another flight to Fort Lauderdale.
“We commend the swift, professional actions of our pilots and flight attendants in responding to this event.
“We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience and have reached out to offer support.”
A spokesman for the Cuban Aviation Corporation confirmed: “The causes of the incident are being investigated.”
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