Mid-Air Emergency: Sun Country Flight Returns To LAX After Engine Fire

A Sun Country Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Monday after flames were seen shooting from one of its engines shortly after takeoff.

Flight 430, a Boeing 737 aircraft carrying 166 passengers, was en route to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport when it experienced a serious engine malfunction just 25 minutes into the journey. According to passenger accounts, a loud explosion-like sound was heard, followed by visible flames from the aircraft's right engine.

“We weren’t even in the air 25 minutes and it sounded like lightning had struck the plane or something had exploded,” passenger Ruth Sorensen told CNN. “We could actually hear the engine shutting down after this happened and the flames were coming out.” Another passenger, Sarah, who was seated next to the engine that malfunctioned, described the harrowing moment. “I saw just a really bright flash out the window,” she told CNN affiliate WCCO. “The passenger next to me held my hand and we just braced for the worst.”

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The flight crew declared an emergency and promptly returned to LAX, where emergency response teams, including fire trucks, were already on standby. The plane landed safely and taxied back to the gate without further incident. In a statement, Sun Country Airlines emphasized that safety remains its top priority. “Our passengers and crew are our priority, and we appreciate the professionalism of our pilots and flight attendants to ensure the safety of our customers,” the airline said. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that the engine experienced a significant failure mid-air, but no additional details have been confirmed.

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While all passengers and crew were unharmed, the ordeal left many shaken and stranded at the airport. “We slept on the airport floor from 3 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. to get on a new Sun Country flight to go home,” Sorensen added, reflecting the long night that followed the emergency. The FAA is expected to conduct a full inspection of the aircraft and its engine system to determine the cause of the failure. Meanwhile, Sun Country has not released information about whether the affected aircraft will return to service.