A Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 suffered loss of fan blades in engine 1 shortly after takeoff from Okinawa-Naha Airport.
The Boeing 777 with registration JA8978, was performing flight JL-904 from Okinawa to Tokyo Haneda with 178 passengers and 11 crew on board.
After the aircraft suffered left-hand engine failure prompting large noise, the crew decided to stop the climb at 19,000 feet and return to Naha airport.
The aircraft made a safe landing some 35 minutes after departure. The aircraft stopped on the runway and was towed to its parking stand.
Japan’s Ministry of Transport has opened an investigation and the incident is being investigated. Passengers onboard reported there were a loud bang and sudden noise.
