Alvorlig luftfartshendelse - Bird strike, Abbotsford, B.C., Canada - Curt Lewis

Terrified passengers write their 'last messages' to family after jet engine bursts into flames

 

'Something's wrong - I love you': Terrified passengers write their 'last messages' to family after jet engine bursts into flames

Terrified passengers wrote what they thought were their last messages to loved ones when a jet engine burst into flames over western .

 

Thudding was heard as fire spewed from the engine and the stench of burning geese filled the cabin after take-off from Abbotsford on Tuesday morning.

 

Passengers began yelling in terror and sent messages to loved ones thinking the plane to Edmonton might go down after a flock of birds flew into the turbine.

 

The Swoop aircraft's pilot announced an emergency landing would have to be made and the plane returned to Abbotsford Airport.

 

Passenger Donna Lee Rayner posted on 'Boarded the plane all is well. Take off happens and all of the sudden this loud thud thud thud thud happens ... smoke in the cabin and the smell of burning.

 

'I'm surprisingly calm but yet curios [sic]. Start my goodbye messages in case my phone is recovered after we crash. The intercom comes on ...

 

'One of the engines sucked up some geese and the smell was them, well getting cooked, we are currently down one engine so we are turning around back to Abbotsford.'

 

Fadhl Abu-Ghanem told : 'It was very overwhelming, you don't expect it ... I started texting my mom saying "Something's wrong with the airplane. I love you."'

 

The 176 passengers were delayed until the next day but there were no reported injuries, according to the broadcaster. 

 

Passengers praised the captain for his professionalism throughout the incident.

 

So-called bird strikes are not uncommon and there were seven reported at Abbotsford Airport in August alone, the broadcaster said.

 

The Swoop airline said the aircraft had been stood down and would undergo inspection.