INTERNATIONAL – A frightening incident unfolded on August 16, 2025, when Condor Airlines Flight DE3665, a Boeing 757-300 en route from Corfu, Greece, to Düsseldorf, Germany, was forced into an emergency landing at Brindisi Airport in Italy. Cited from CNBC, there were 273 passengers and 8 crew members on board. The aircraft encountered a critical malfunction when a chemical reaction in the engine’s combustion chamber caused visible flames at the engine’s rear, alarming passengers and observers alike.
At approximately 36,000 ft, passengers and crew noticed a sudden airflow disruption in the right turbine, accompanied by loud booms. One passenger recounted, “The power went out for a few seconds, and we realized we were no longer climbing.” Another shared the panic that gripped them: “I already sent goodbye texts because I thought, ‘It’s over now.’”
Despite the dramatic visuals, including flames intermittently erupting from the engine and captured on video, Condor Airlines assured that passenger safety was never at risk. The issue was attributed to a reaction near the engine, rather than an outright fire. The crew responded promptly, shutting down the affected engine and diverting to Brindisi approximately 40 minutes after takeoff.
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Upon landing safely at 8:15 p.m. local time, passengers were escorted off the plane without injury. However, limited hotel availability meant that some travelers had to spend the night at the airport. Condor Airlines provided vouchers, blankets, access to airport shops, and promised reimbursement for accommodation-related expenses. The following day, a replacement aircraft ferried all passengers to Düsseldorf.
This incident comes amid growing scrutiny of Boeing aircraft safety. Videos of the incident quickly went viral, prompting public concern and demand for investigations into Boeing’s reliability. Condor Airlines stated: “We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and employees is always our top priority.”
This near-disaster serves as a reminder of aviation risks, even when executed with precision and calm, emergency protocols can turn potentially fatal moments into stories of rescue and survival.
