Двигатель рейса KLM 777, выполнявшего рейс Амстердам - Мумбаи, загорелся

AMSTERDAM- A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), Boeing 777-300ER, operating as flight KL877, experienced a severe engine fire shortly after departing from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) for Mumbai (BOM), forcing an emergency U-turn.

Passengers aboard KLM faced panic as flames were spotted from the left engine. Though no injuries were reported, the event raised concerns about aviation safety and operational reliability.

Photo: Jeroen Stroes Aviation Photography | Wikimedia Commons

KLM Flight Engine Fire

KLM Dutch (KL) flight KL877 departed from Amsterdam (AMS) at 12:03 CEST on Saturday, May 17, bound for Mumbai (BOM).

Just minutes after departure, while climbing through 6,000 feet, the aircraft experienced an engine fire.

The aircraft, registered as PH-BVW, stopped its ascent and entered a holding pattern over the North Sea.

The flight crew initiated fuel dumping procedures to reduce landing weight and prepared for an emergency return to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

This action, which is standard in such scenarios, allowed the aircraft to safely re-land without structural risk.

Eyewitnesses on the ground reported visible flames from the left engine.

Preliminary expert assessments suggest a possible compressor stall or bird strike, both capable of causing serious engine damage. The incident is under investigation, and no official cause has yet been confirmed.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Passengers Reactions

Inside the cabin, passengers described rising anxiety as crew members remained calm but gave limited updates.

The plane circled for nearly two hours, during which time many feared the worst. Upon landing, emergency crews were on standby, though the aircraft touched down without further incident.

Back at Schiphol Airport (AMS), the sudden return of a long-haul flight created logistical challenges.

Ground operations had to accommodate stranded passengers, rebook flights, and manage delays.

With increased demand on the Amsterdam–Mumbai route, up 28% this year, the disruption affected hundreds of travelers with onward connections across South Asia.

Photo: By UA-320 – http://spotters.net.ua/file/?id=101704&size=large, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39752358

Safety Investigations

Dutch aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the KLM engine fire incident. Key focus areas include cockpit communication logs, engine telemetry, and possible external factors like bird activity, a known concern in the Schiphol region due to surrounding wetlands and farmland.

While the Boeing 777-300ER is certified to operate with one functioning engine, an in-flight engine fire adds a higher level of risk.

The controlled fuel dump over the North Sea may also lead to environmental reviews from regulatory agencies, although such procedures are compliant with international safety norms.

Photo: By Alf van Beem – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27889013

KLM’s Response

KLM (KL) now faces the challenge of managing passenger rebookings, investigating the cause, and restoring public trust.

The airline has not yet released a full technical statement, but confirmed that safety remains the top priority.

As the investigation continues, aviation stakeholders will be watching closely. The airline’s response will play a critical role in public perception, particularly on high-traffic international routes such as AMS–BOM.

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