Atlas Air Boeing 747-8 makes emergency landing due to engine malfunction

An Atlas Air Boeing 747-8 cargo plane made an emergency landing Thursday night due to an engine malfunction that occurred shortly after takeoff. 

“The crew followed all standard procedures and safely returned to MIA. At Atlas, safety is always our top priority and we will be conducting a thorough inspection to determine the cause,” Atlas Air said in a statement to The Hill on Friday.

A witness who saw the plane before it landed said it was “shooting sparks" as it flew overhead.

The witness said she wondered whether the plane was going to fall or explode, according to Yahoo Finance. 

The plane was on its way towards Luis Muños Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico, but ended up being grounded in Miami International Airport due to the malfunction.

The crew only consisted of five members and the Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating the incident.