An Airbus A321 operated by Ural Airlines, en route to Yekaterinburg, Russia, made an emergency landing at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in Egypt on Friday evening due to a sudden technical malfunction, according to a report by the Russian news agency TASS citing Egypt's Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The incident occurred shortly after the flight, designated U61876, departed from Sharm El Sheikh. As the aircraft was ascending, the crew received a signal indicating a malfunction in engine N1. For safety reasons, the pilot decided to return to the departure airport.
"A Russian plane safely landed at the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport after it was requested to return due to a sudden technical malfunction," the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed in a statement. The report noted that one of the engines failed, prompting the immediate decision to perform a U-turn.
The Airbus A321 was carrying 236 passengers at the time of the incident.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew members. The safe landing was achieved without further complications, and passengers disembarked calmly.
Ural Airlines, the operator of the flight, issued a statement acknowledging the incident: "A signal about a malfunction in engine N1 came when flight U61876 bound from Sharm El Sheikh for Yekaterinburg was gaining height. For safety considerations, the crew made a decision to return to the Egyptian airport and landed there safely."
The airline assured that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority and noted that an investigation into the technical issue is underway.