Passengers reported seeing huge flames shoot out of the engine and hearing “loud firecracker noises”.
Air France flight AF7470 had taken off from Paris Orly airport at 8.45 pm on Friday, bound for Perpignan, when it encountered technical problems less than an hour into the journey.
Pilots decided to make a U-turn back to Paris Orly on the jet’s one remaining engine and landed safely less than an hour after take-off with all 48 passengers on board unharmed.
The airline emphasized that this type of incident is extremely rare.
“Air France crews are regularly trained to manage this type of known and controlled situation. Air France recalls that its crews are trained that the health and safety of its customers and staff is an absolute imperative,” an airline spokesperson said.
