Qatar Airways Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Istanbul

By Guest Contributor On Aug 18, 2016

A Qatar Airways aircraft is seen after making an emergency landing at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

A Qatar Airways aircraft was forced to land at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport today after one of its engines caught fire after taking off, reports Reuters.

The flight was headed for Doha, the Qatari capital, but had to turn back to Ataturk airport less than 30 minutes into its journey after the flames caught the left side engine. Videos of the incident went viral showing the flames shooting out of the passenger jet’s engine as it returns to the Istanbul hub.

Eyewitness Mehmet Kirazoglu reported the plane landing, “‏I was in Turkish Airlines Technology building nearby the IST airport we heard a strange engine sound over us.” When they looked up we saw a Qatar Airways plane whose left engine was flaming out. “It turned round towards sea, I suppose it drained its fuel [in the] Marmara Sea. Thank god, we have learnt that it landed safely,” Kirazoglu said.

WE SAID THIS: We’re just happy everyone is safe.