Smartwings Boeing 737 Max returns to Prague after engine fault

A Smartwings Boeing 737 Max flight traveling from Prague to Tel Aviv was forced to return to Václav Havel Airport Prague early Monday morning after the crew reported a potential engine malfunction shortly after takeoff.

An emergency alert was declared at the airport, involving airport firefighters and rescuers. The aircraft, which is eight years old, landed safely. According to Smartwings spokesperson Vladimíra Dufková, the crew followed all safety and operational procedures, and the situation was under control. There were 189 passengers and six crew members on board; all passengers disembarked normally after the plane reached the stand.

The emergency landing caused temporary disruptions at Prague Airport, resulting in two other flights being diverted to Brno. A replacement aircraft was deployed to transport the passengers to their destination in Tel Aviv.