Arsenal Team in Shock as Engine Blaze Causes their Plane to Burst into Flames on the Runway, Pilot Forced to Abandon Takeoff

Arsenal Women's team players, staff, and crew had a terrifying experience last Sunday when their plane burst into flames on the runway at the airport in Wolfsburg, Germany. The incident occurred as the team was leaving Germany after playing VfL Wolfsburg in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. The flight was scheduled to depart at 7:30 pm, but just before takeoff, a loud bang was heard, and the plane reportedly shook before the engine caught fire. The pilot quickly stopped the plane on the runway, and the passengers were evacuated from the aircraft. According to German newspaper Bild, the cause of the fire was a bird strike. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident. The players and staff were accommodated in a nearby hotel overnight and flew back to London the following day on a replacement plane. The airport, where the incident occurred, is jointly owned by the car manufacturer Volkswagen Group, which uses it as the base for its airline fleet operated under the Volkswagen Air Services brand. Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg in the Champions League semi-final, despite conceding two goals in the first 25 minutes. The result sets up a crucial clash for the Gunners, as they play the second leg at home at the Emirates Stadium in London on Monday. The team could reach the Women's Champions League Final if they beat Wolfsburg and either London rivals Chelsea or Spanish giants Barcelona. After beating Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg, Barcelona will host the Blues at the Camp Nou on Thursday to determine the second finalist. Arsenal last won the competition in 2007, when it was known as the UEFA Women's Cup, which makes it the last time an English club claimed victory in the tournament's 22-year history. Meanwhile, Barcelona claimed the title in 2021, and French side Lyon has won the trophy eight times since 2011. However, Olympique Lyon exited this year's competition in the quarter-finals after losing on penalties to Chelsea. Arsenal issued a statement following the incident, saying: "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 incident highlights the importance of safety measures in air travel, especially for athletes who frequently travel for sports events.