Ex-F1 boss posts terrifying image after near-death experience on plane

Former Aston Martin and Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer revealed that he was involved in a frightening incident when the plane he was travelling on caught fire due to a mechanical issue.

Szafnauer, who previously served as team principal of Alpine between 2022 and 2023, shared terrifying footage of the plane he was flying on, with the image appearing to show fire coming from an engine located on one of the wings.

The 61-year-old was evacuated from the flight alongside his fellow passengers, who were travelling from Savannah to Atlanta when the issue occurred.

Reports confirmed that the 179 customers, two pilots and four flight attendants disembarked the aircraft without suffering any injuries.

As reported by CNN, the Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the Delta Air Lines flight after it was forced to turn back shortly after take-off on Sunday (22 February).

The engine issue sparked a large fire near the airport, with the surrounding grass catching alight.

“We lost the left engine straight out here for Delta 1067,” the pilot reportedly said before asking if something had happened to the plane.

A controller then replied: “Unfortunately, when the engine blew, it set the whole grass area on the left side of the airport on fire.”

The airline later released a statement confirming that the issue arose from a “mechanical issue with the aircraft’s left engine”.

“The Boeing 737-900 landed safely and was met by fire engines, with customers disembarking at the gate,” the statement read.

Szafnauer posted an image of the flames alongside the caption: “Fuel burning from the failed engine,” having earlier praised the pilots for “expertly handling” the engine failure during take-off.

Meanwhile, some of his fellow passengers shared their thoughts on the ordeal when they spoke to WTOC.

Jeanne Miraglia, who was also aboard, explained: “The pilot came on saying the engine had blown, but we have another good engine. And we’re gonna be fine and told us what to look for – fire engines, grass fires and things like that.”

Miraglia also explained that she heard a loud boom shortly before take-off.