The take-off of a Boeing 747 passenger aircraft belonging to Rossiya Airlines in Russia was aborted at the last second due to flames erupting from the engines and the risk of veering off the runway. The 388 passengers on board experienced moments of great panic, while footage of the incident quickly spread across social media.
Terrifying Moments During Take-off Captured on Camera
The incident at an airport in Russia has once again brought aviation safety concerns to the forefront. As the Rossiya Airlines Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft began accelerating on the runway for take-off, sparks and flames started emerging from one of its engines. In footage recorded by eyewitnesses on their mobile phones, the moment when what appeared to be a fireball shot out of the aircraft’s engine can be clearly seen.
Cameras captured the massive jumbo jet beginning to lose control within seconds, veering towards the left side of the runway and heading towards snow-covered areas. It was reported that the pilots aborted the take-off at the very last moment in order to prevent a potential disaster.
Pilot’s Reflex Prevented Disaster
According to statements from authorities, a technical malfunction occurred in the aircraft’s number one engine while it was accelerating for a flight scheduled to last approximately eight hours. As a result, the pilots carried out an emergency braking manoeuvre. It was reported that a small fire broke out during the heavy braking and that the aircraft’s balance was disrupted.
In the eyewitness video, it is clearly visible that sparks were coming from around the engine as the jumbo jet sped along the snow-covered runway, after which the aircraft deviated from its course. As the aircraft headed off the runway, dense clouds of ice and snow forming around the wings drew attention.
388 Passengers Were on Board
At the time of the incident, there were 388 passengers and crew members on board the aircraft. It was reported that nine children were among the passengers. Fortunately, despite the terrifying moments, authorities stated that no injuries were reported.
After leaving the runway, the aircraft was moved to a safe area with the help of a tow vehicle. Due to the incident, the airport was temporarily closed to flight traffic.
Statement from the Airline
Rossiya Airlines denied some claims that the aircraft had completely left the runway. However, initial reports indicate that during the heavy braking, the aircraft pitched forward and that the nose landing gear may have scraped the runway at that moment.
Following the incident, a replacement Boeing 777-300 aircraft was dispatched from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. While shaken passengers spent the night in hotels, it was reported that the flight would be completed at a later time.
Sanctions and Maintenance Issues in Focus
Experts have drawn attention to the timing of the incident, highlighting the technical problems recently faced by the Russian aviation sector. It is stated that Western sanctions imposed due to the war in Ukraine have severely restricted access to spare parts and maintenance services.
According to official data, more than 800 technical malfunctions were recorded on Russian aircraft in 2025 alone. This figure represents a sharp increase compared to the previous year.
Investigation Launched
Authorities announced that multiple investigations have been launched to examine all aspects of the incident. In particular, whether winter conditions, snow and ice on the runway played a role in the incident is being closely scrutinised.
