A plane billed to carry the Arsenal women’s team from Germany has burst into flames on the runway at the Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport in the country.
It was gathered that the aircraft, which was to carry the Arsenal women’s team after their Champions League semi-final first leg against Wolfsburg burst into flames on the runway on Sunday evening.
According to Daily Mail, the incident occurred at the airport after a bird flew into the engine shortly before it was due to take off, causing a loud bang.
The pilots on board were said to have quickly evacuated the passengers, including Arsenal’s first team squad, to safety when flames started to come out of the left engine of the Boeing 737.
The Arsenal women’s team, it was learned, flew to Germany on Saturday using a Maltese airline, and were due to fly back with the same airline the following evening.
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However, after the engine caught fire as they were forced to switch to a replacement airline to get back to England on Monday morning.
The incident was confirmed by Arsenal via a statement issued on Monday, April 24.
“Our aircraft developed a technical issue prior to take-off in Germany on Sunday evening.
“As a result, we remained in Wolfsburg overnight on Sunday before flying back to England on Monday afternoon.
“We would like to thank the staff onboard the aircraft and on the ground at the airport for their assistance,” the club noted.
Following their return from Germany, Arsenal can now look forward to sealing their place in the 2023 Champions League final after fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw in Sunday’s first leg.
The Gunners got off to the worst possible start as they fell two goals behind to their German opponents within 24 minutes.
However, Rafaelle Souza pulled a goal back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time, and Arsenal made it 2-2 through Stina Blackstenius with 21 minutes remaining.
Arsenal’s comeback was a positive response after a difficult week when they were beaten by Manchester United in the league, in a game that saw Leah Williamson pick up a long-term knee injury that has ruled her out of the World Cup.
The return leg against Wolfsburg holds next Monday at the Emirates Stadium.
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