Shock in the airspace: plane cover comes off – passengers panic!
On May 16, 2025, there was an alarming incident involving a Mandarin Airlines aircraft when an engine cover was torn off during takeoff from Kaohsiung Airport. Passengers experienced panic, but the crew landed the plane back safely. An investigation into the cause is ongoing.

Shock in the airspace: plane cover comes off – passengers panic!
On May 16, an alarming incident occurred on a Mandarin Airlines flight from Kaohsiung to the Kinmen Islands in Taiwan, raising questions about technical safety in aviation. The aircraft, an ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, experienced a serious mechanical failure during flight. Shortly after takeoff, a metal plate on the engine came off, causing the aircraft to shake.
Passengers who witnessed the incident reported panic and fear, particularly when they saw the engine cover open through the window. A passenger was able to capture video showing the left engine cover flapping, revealing glimpses of the engine's inner workings. The incident occurred just minutes after takeoff from Kaohsiung International Airport.
Safe return to the airport
After the event, the flight crew quickly declared an emergency. The pilots were able to steer the plane safely back to Kaohsiung, where it landed successfully. Fortunately, there were no injuries or casualties among passengers or crew. A comprehensive investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of this mechanical failure Vietnam.vn reported.
The incident also raises fundamental questions about the maintenance and safety inspections of propeller aircraft. Mandarin Airlines, a subsidiary of China Airlines, was founded in 1991 and is based in Taipei. The airline mainly offers regional connections within Taiwan and therefore plays an important role in the region's air traffic.
Comparison with similar incidents
Similar incidents are not new in the history of aviation. There have been similar incidents in the past, such as at Southwest Airlines, which also raised questions about maintenance procedures and technical safety. The aviation industry is under pressure to improve maintenance and safety testing mechanisms to ensure such incidents are avoided in the future.
In conclusion, the Mandarin Airlines incident highlights the importance of maintaining strict maintenance standards and always putting passenger safety first. It remains to be seen what lessons will be learned from this situation and what measures will be taken to further ensure safety in aviation Krone.at determines.