"Thought I Might Die"... US Plane Catches Fire 4 Minutes After Takeoff, Debris Flying, 'Miraculous Safe Landing'

Fire on board 'UA328' / Photo by YouTube 'FSX Aviation' video capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A plane heading to Hawaii from Denver, USA, caught fire at an altitude of 4,570 meters and made an emergency landing. It has been confirmed that there were no casualties among the passengers or from debris falling nearby.

According to major foreign media on the 20th (local time), United Airlines flight 'UA328' departed from Denver International Airport in Colorado, USA, around 1 p.m. on the same day, heading to Honolulu, Hawaii. There were 241 people on board, including 231 travelers and 10 crew members.

However, four minutes after takeoff, a fire broke out in the right wing engine. The cover surrounding the burning engine fell below at an altitude of 4,570 meters. Videos taken by passengers inside the plane showed the burning engine shaking while emitting strong smoke and heat.

One passenger said, "Right after the explosion, we started losing altitude, and honestly, I thought I might die," adding, "I held my wife's hand and said, 'We're doomed.'" He recounted the situation at that time.

The captain immediately informed the airport control center of the accident and initiated an emergency landing. The plane barely returned to the airport and landed safely without any casualties.

Airplane debris fallen from the sky / Photo by Twitter capture

However, debris from the aircraft fell from the sky, causing damage in the Broomfield area about 40 km from Denver. A resident of Broomfield told local media, "I was just making a sandwich in the kitchen when a metal sheet pierced the roof and fell next to me."

Another resident also said, "There was a loud noise from the sky, and I saw the plane engulfed in thick black smoke. Debris started pouring down like rain, and up close, they were huge chunks of metal."

Fortunately, it has been confirmed that there were no injuries caused by the debris falling on the ground. A police official said, "It is a miracle that no one was hurt."