Swiss Flight Aborts Takeoff at Boston After Engine Flames; No Injuries
What happened on the runway
A Swiss International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich aborted takeoff at Boston Logan after flames were seen coming from one of its engines. The incident involved Swiss Flight 55 on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 16. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the crew rejected the takeoff around 6:25 p.m. local time because of engine issues. The aircraft slowed, came to a safe stop on the runway, and remained under control throughout the event. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
What the video shows
Cell phone footage captured the jet rolling down the tarmac moments before bright flashes and smoke appeared from the engine on the right wing. As the throttles came back, viewers saw the aircraft decelerate and a plume form behind it. In the clip, the person filming remarks, “Big smoke cloud back there,” as the jet slows and comes to a halt. The images look dramatic, but the sequence also shows a standard, well executed rejected takeoff with the aircraft staying centered and stable.
The response on the ground
Airport rescue and firefighting vehicles reached the jet quickly and stood by as crews completed checklists and assessed the situation. Afterward, the aircraft was moved off the active runway. Operations at Logan continued with minor disruptions. The FAA said it briefly paused some arrivals while the aircraft taxied clear, then traffic flowed again.
What the FAA says
The FAA confirmed the crew stopped their takeoff due to engine issues and said it will investigate the incident. That process typically includes a review of cockpit and maintenance records, pilot reports, and any available video or sensor data. Swiss International Air Lines had not released additional details at the time of the initial reports.
What this means for travelers
Aborted takeoffs can look alarming, but they are part of standard pilot training and are designed to keep everyone safe when a warning light, unusual vibration, or visible issue appears. If you are ever on a flight that returns to the gate or stops on the runway, follow crew instructions, stay seated until told otherwise, and wait for updates about rebooking or an aircraft change. Most runway events end with the plane taxiing under its own power and passengers continuing their journey on a later departure.
The bottom line
Swiss Flight 55’s crew did exactly what they were trained to do when they saw signs of trouble. The takeoff was rejected, emergency teams responded, and the aircraft was moved from the runway with no injuries reported. The FAA will look into the cause, while travelers can take some comfort in how the procedures worked as intended from pushback to shutdown.
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This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance
