FR8826 - Engine Fire During Takeoff Triggers Evacuation

Ryanair flight FR8826, operated by Malta Air Boeing 737-800 (registration 9H-OCB) on behalf of parent airline Ryanair, was scheduled to depart Brindisi Papola Casale Airport (BDS) on 3 October 2024 bound for Turin Caselle Airport (TRN). The flight was carrying 184 passengers and six crew members for a scheduled 90-minute domestic flight within Italy. During the initial takeoff roll, cabin crew observed smoke and flames emanating from the aircraft's right-hand (number two) engine. The flight crew immediately aborted the takeoff and brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway. An emergency evacuation was initiated, with all 184 passengers and six crew members exiting the aircraft via emergency slides. Airport fire vehicles responded swiftly to the scene, with firefighters hosing down the number two engine with fire retardant to extinguish the flames. All occupants made it safely off the aircraft with no reported injuries. Brindisi Airport was temporarily closed while emergency crews secured the aircraft and removed it from the runway. Passengers were eventually transported to Turin on a replacement Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, which departed at 13:39 local time and arrived in Turin at 15:03—approximately five hours and ten minutes later than originally scheduled. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the engine fire during the takeoff phase.