PARIS- An Air France (AF) Airbus A320 carrying 173 passengers from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) to Ajaccio (AJA) made an emergency landing at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) on Saturday, December 20, 2025, after a technical incident occurred during the flight.
The airline stated that the issue was a technical fault that did not compromise the aircraft’s airworthiness.
As a precaution, the flight crew decided to divert, and the aircraft landed safely in Lyon at 18:25 local time. No injuries were reported.
Air France A320 Emergency Landing
Passengers reported feeling strong vibrations shortly after departure. Several observed large yellow flashes and flames on one wing, while cockpit alarms and warning lights activated simultaneously, causing significant concern in the cabin.
“I saw large yellow flashes. They were flames. The plane dropped, then we realised it was an emergency landing,” one passenger told ICI RCFM. Despite the alarming visuals and vibrations, the landing proceeded normally.
According to The Connexion, an aviation expert identified the incident as a likely compressor stall or engine surge.
This type of event occurs when airflow inside the engine is disrupted, creating air pockets that lead to loud noises, strong vibrations, and visible flames caused by unburnt fuel.
“Once the engine was shut down, the vibrations ceased. The aircraft landed normally on one engine,” the expert explained to AFP.
The expert added that while flying on a single engine is not routine, it is a trained and certified procedure that is usually resolved safely.
Air France Position and Re-accommodation
Air France confirmed that the crew followed standard operating procedures by shutting down the affected engine.
The airline stated that the landing was conducted under normal conditions and clarified that there was no engine fire. It also confirmed that no smoke alarm was triggered during the incident.
Following the landing at Lyon, ground teams assisted all 173 passengers. Air France rebooked them on a later flight departing at 22:39 to Bastia, arriving at 23:50.
Passengers were then transferred by bus from Bastia to Ajaccio, reaching their final destination at approximately 03:00 on Sunday morning.
Safety of Single-Engine Operations
Twin-engine commercial aircraft are certified for single-engine flight and landing, and flight crews receive regular training for such scenarios.
Although rare, events like this are managed through established safety procedures, as demonstrated by the controlled and injury-free outcome of the December 20 flight.
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