Swiss Airlines jet engine catches fire during aborted takeoff at Boston Logan
Flight LX55 halted after a right-engine fire; passengers uninjured and airport briefly placed on ground stop as agencies investigate
A Swiss Airlines Airbus A330-300 experienced a right-engine fire while accelerating for takeoff at Boston Logan International Airport on Tuesday evening, prompting the crew to abort the takeoff and bringing emergency responders to the runway. No injuries were reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the incident occurred at about 6:25 p.m. and that the crew halted the takeoff after experiencing what was described as engine trouble. Video circulating on social media shows Flight LX55 building speed when a flash of orange erupted from the aircraft's right engine, followed by smoke and a loud boom. Passengers reported a sudden jolt and heavy braking as the aircraft came to a stop and taxied back to the gate under its own power.
Massport, the authority that operates Logan, said it temporarily implemented a ground stop while the aircraft was assessed and that emergency crews responded to the scene. Photographs show fire trucks positioned beside the jet on the runway. Swiss Airlines issued a statement apologizing to affected passengers and saying investigations into the exact nature of the engine problem are under way.
"We're about halfway down the runway when all of a sudden, there's kind of a boom noise and a big jolt," passenger Molly Furrer told NBC Boston. "I could feel the plane braking and then it started to skid down the runway until it came to a complete stop."
Flight tracking site FlightAware later showed the Zurich-bound service departing Boston around 11 p.m., though the airline did not immediately confirm whether the same aircraft was used for the later departure. Swiss Airlines said it deeply regretted the inconvenience and that it was cooperating with authorities investigating the incident.
The FAA said it briefly paused some arrivals at Logan while crews assessed the aircraft and that it will investigate the matter. Massport added that other Swiss departures from Logan experienced delays as the airport managed operations following the aborted takeoff.
Boston Logan has seen several high-profile engine-related incidents in recent years. In August, a Condor Airlines jet suffered an engine explosion minutes after takeoff from Corfu and made an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy. In September 2023, a United Airlines flight into Boston aborted its landing after another aircraft was seen on the runway, prompting a go-around.
Authorities have not released findings from any technical inspection as of Wednesday afternoon. The FAA and Massport will review records and maintenance data as part of their investigations, and Swiss Airlines said it would provide passengers with further information as it becomes available.