A Boeing 747-8 cargo aircraft operated by Atlas Air was forced to make an emergency landing in Miami just minutes after takeoff on the evening of January 18, 2024. The aircraft experienced an in-flight engine malfunction, resulting in a sudden mid-air fire. 

The Boeing 747-87UF, registered as N859GT and manufactured in 2015, was conducting Atlas Air Flight 5Y95 to Puerto Rico (SJU) when it suffered a #2 engine fire during its initial climb after taking off from runway 09 at Miami International Airport, FL (MIA). 

Just 14 minutes after takeoff, the crew declared an emergency to Miami Departure by radio. The crew explicitly communicated that they were dealing with an engine fire on the Boeing 747-87UF. 

Videos circulating on social media capture the dramatic moment when one of the plane’s wings was engulfed in flames. 

The flight crew promptly executed standard safety procedures, and the aircraft returned safely to Miami International Airport.  

“The crew followed all standard procedures and safely returned to MIA,” Atlas Air confirmed in a statement. 

There were no reported injuries among the crew or on the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially acknowledged the incident and announced its intention to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire that affected the GEnx-2B67 engine.