Flight RWZ3097, operated by Red Wings Airlines, departed Moskva, Russia, for Phuket, Thailand, on the evening of 3/12. Approximately one hour after takeoff, the Boeing 777-200, carrying 412 passengers and 13 crew members, issued an emergency signal and returned to the airport.

A Red Wings Airlines Boeing 777. Photo: Moscow Times

Local media reported that the aircraft took off from Domodedovo Airport in the Russian capital at 21h19, 24 minutes behind schedule. Minutes later, the crew reported a fire in the left engine and decided to return immediately. To reduce landing weight and minimize risks, the aircraft circled over southern districts of the Moskva region, including Bronnitsy, Ramenskoye, Voskresensk, and Zhukovsky.

Flightradar24 data indicated the aircraft dumped fuel for over one hour. Firefighters, ambulances, and emergency response personnel were on standby at Domodedovo Airport. The plane landed successfully with no injuries reported.

In July, an S7 Airlines aircraft also made an emergency return to an airport in Siberia due to a cabin pressurization issue. This incident occurred just one day after an Angara Airlines An-24 passenger plane crashed during a landing attempt in Russia's Far East, killing all 49 people on board.

Vu Hoang (According to Xinhua, TASS, Avia-pro)