A plane struck a bird on takeoff causing the engine to explode and scatter smouldering debris all over the runway.
The Boeing 737 encountered a loss of power as soon as it took to the air.
The captain reported the engine issue just moments after takeoff at 5.21pm yesterday (5 March).
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A video shows a local resident filming from a rooftop as the plane apparently struggles to take to the air.
He was shocked that the aircraft was flying “very low” and “not ascending”.
Aerolíneas Argentinas flight AR1648 took off from Jorge Newbery Airfield in Buenos Aires, Argentina, bound for Neuquén Province.
The runway was temporarily inoperable due to engine debris scattered across the tarmac.
Images show smoke billowing from the smouldering debris on the runway.
Around 30 flights were diverted to alternative airports due to the engine wreckage.
15 flights were delayed while the debris was cleared from the runway.
Meanwhile, the crew had to burn fuel in the air for about half an hour before being diverted to the nearby Ezeiza International Airport.
The airport has a longer runway than Jorge Newbery Airfield for the crew to carry out a safer landing.
Aerolíneas Argentinas, the state-owned flag carrier of Argentina, said: “Flight AR1648 declared an emergency minutes after takeoff after one of the engines experienced a technical failure due to a possible bird strike.”
No injuries were reported and the emergency landing occurred without further incident.
The passengers were able to disembark the plane normally without the need for an emergency evacuation.
However, they had to wait until 10pm for a replacement flight to their destination, as reported by Need To Know.
The airline said: “The flight was diverted to Ezeiza Airport and landed at 5.55pm without evacuation or any impact on the passengers, who have already been relocated on a flight for tonight.”
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has confirmed that a full investigation is underway.
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