During takeoff from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), Sant Martin, an Air Caraibes Airbus A330-300 experienced an engine malfunction, with noises and flashes recorded.
On December 28, 2021, at around 7:15 p.m. AST, an incident happened (23:15 UTC). The plane, with the registration F-ORLY, took off as flight TX527 to Orly Airport in Paris (ORY).
The crew observed the overheat indication on the left engine shortly after takeoff, according to the Aviation Herald.
They stopped the climb and reduced thrust before entirely shutting down the engine.
#TransportAérien 🛑🛑 problème de réacteur sur le vol TX527 au départ de Sint Maarten à destination de Paris Orly. L’Airbus A330 a été contraint de faire demi tour après 18 min de vol pour se poser à Juliana. Les 30 passagers sont sains et saufs @aircaraibes @guadeloupela1e pic.twitter.com/sFyBao2CMP
— Eric Stimpfling (@StimpflingEric) December 29, 2021
Eyewitnesses heard numerous loud explosions and saw a glow emerging from the engine, according to the Daily Herald. SXM CEO Brian Mingo described the incident as an “engine blow-out,” according to the newspaper, though he did not elaborate on what caused it.
The airplane turned around seven minutes after taking off and landed at SXM. During the event, none of the 30 passengers on board were injured.
As of January 3, the aircraft in question is still parked, according to Radarbox data.
According to Planespotters.net, F-ORLY was supplied to Air Caraibes in 2006. Two Pratt & Whitney PW4168 engines are installed.
