UPS Boeing 747-8 Returns to Hong Kong after Engine Fire
UPS Boeing 747-8 Returns to Hong Kong after Engine Fire

UPS Boeing 747-8 Returns to Hong Kong After Engine Fire

A United Parcel Service (UPS) Boeing 747-8 freighter returned to Hong Kong International airport, after an engine fire upon departure.

According to the AvHerald, the 1.4 year old aircraft, with registration N624UP and performing flight 5X003 from Hong Kong to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of runway 07R when the crew received an indication that one of the engines (GEnx) was exceeding its limits; this occurred during the initial climb (400 feet) and then at 1500 feet the engine fire warning sounded.

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The crew discharged both fire bottles into the engine with the warning persisting. The Captain stopped the climb and returned the aircraft to Hong Kong for a safe overweight (about 426 ton, MTOW 442 ton, MLW 350 ton) landing on runway 07L and coming to a stop about 2500 meters down the runway, about 15 minutes after departure.

It is possible to see in the video and photos below how the fire services sprayed water and foam on the aircraft, to put out the fire, on the outboard left wing engine #1 down.

Cover photo by @aviationbrk