Passengers on board a domestic flight from the Greek island of Naxos to Athens experienced a terrifying moment on Saturday afternoon, when the right engine of their aircraft caught fire during takeoff.
Shocking footage captured on the runway shows flames erupting from the engine of the Olympic Air plane, part of the AEGEAN Airlines group, as it was taxiing and gaining speed in preparation for departure. Eyewitnesses reported hearing passengers shout “Fire, fire!” in a panic, trying to alert the flight crew.
Calm Response Prevents Disaster
Despite the dramatic incident, the flight crew remained composed. The captain reacted immediately by aborting takeoff and safely guiding the aircraft back onto the runway. The plane came to a stop and an emergency evacuation was carried out as a precaution.
None of the 45 passengers or four crew members on board were injured, though many were visibly shaken. Local fire crews arrived at the scene promptly, standing by to ensure the situation was fully under control.
AEGEAN Issues Statement
In an official statement, AEGEAN Airlines confirmed that flight OA 017, operated by Olympic Air, encountered a fire alert in one of the engines shortly after initiating takeoff. The airline praised the pilot for his quick decision to return the aircraft to the airport and follow all emergency protocols.
“In line with company procedures,” the statement read, “the captain decided to return the aircraft to Naxos airport and informed ground authorities to activate appropriate measures. The aircraft landed safely and, as a precaution, the evacuation process was initiated and completed without incident.”
AEGEAN also confirmed that a replacement aircraft was dispatched to Naxos to complete the journey to Athens, allowing passengers to reach their destination later that day.
