747 engine turbine blades spear cars in the Netherlands

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Sat Feb 20, 2021

A Longtail Aviation Boeing 747-400 freighter, operating Flt LGT-5504 from Maastricht in the Netherlands to New York has suffered an engine explosion, and turbine blades from the damaged engine showered down on cars in the village of Meerssen. According to the Aviation Herald, an elderly lady was "hit by the debris and received minor injuries." SEE: Dramatic video of 777 engine fire The pilots declared an emergency and entered a hold to dump fuel and diverted to Liege (Belgium) for a safe landing about one hour after departure. A number of cars on the ground received damage as a result of debris falling. Aviation Herald says a resident in Meerssen reported he "heard a loud bang, spotted the aircraft with streaks of flames from one of the right-hand engines, then metal rained from the sky." Here are some pictures from @meraklihavaci

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