A Swiss International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich was was canceled after an engine failure sent orange flames and thick smoke, prompting temporary ground stop.
Boston, MA – 16 September 2025 — The harrowing incident unfolded at approximately 6:25 p.m. on September 16, 2025, as Swiss Flight LX55 accelerated down the runway with 223 passengers and 13 crew members aboard the Airbus A330-300. Witnesses reported hearing a deafening boom before orange fireballs began shooting from the aircraft’s right engine, creating a scene of controlled chaos on one of America’s busiest runways.
Takeoff Attempt
Video footage captured shows the wide-body aircraft beginning its takeoff roll before flames began erupting from its right engine. The crew immediately initiated emergency procedures, bringing the aircraft to a halt on the runway.
“There appears to be black smoke from one of the engines as you revved up,” air traffic controllers informed the Swiss pilots, who had already begun aborting the takeoff sequence as the engine failure became apparent.
The pilots successfully brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway, where emergency vehicles quickly surrounded the plane as thick plumes of smoke continued to pour from the damaged engine.
Emergency Response and Ground Stop
The Federal Aviation Administration immediately implemented a temporary ground stop at Logan Airport, briefly halting arrivals to ensure the safe handling of the emergency situation. Fire trucks and rescue vehicles raced to the disabled aircraft.
“The crew of SWISS Flight 55 stopped their takeoff at Boston Logan International Airport due to engine issues around 6:25 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The FAA briefly paused some arrivals to the airport before the plane taxied off the runway,” the FAA confirmed in an official statement.
Impact on Operations
While the ground stop was brief, the incident caused ripple effects throughout Logan’s busy evening schedule. The airport, one of the nation’s major international gateways, handles hundreds of flights daily, making any runway closure a significant operational challenge.
Swiss International Air Lines has begun rebooking affected passengers on alternative flights to Zurich, though the timeline for resuming normal service on the route remains unclear. The damaged A330-300 (registration HB-JHB) will require extensive inspection and likely significant repairs before returning to service.
