Plane's Landing Sees Passengers Eager for Departure
On June 28, 2025, a TUI Flight from Greece to Düsseldorf made an unscheduled stop in Bari, Italy. The Boeing 737 returned shortly after takeoff due to a problem with one of the engines. Passengers reported unusual noises during takeoff and a subsequent descent, causing significant unease among the passengers.
The pilot announced that one engine was shut down due to flashing lights in the cockpit. Despite the engine issue, the aircraft landed safely at Bari Airport, albeit bumpier than usual. Firefighters checked the aircraft after the landing, and thankfully, no incidents were reported.
Passengers had to wait for further information after the landing. TUI Fly did not have a representative present to provide information to passengers, and information about the continuation of the flight was provided by email or announcement at the airport. Passengers were taken by bus to the terminal and received a 15-euro meal voucher for the waiting time.
Later that evening, all passengers were taken to the Rhineland by a special flight. One passenger, Claudia Raske, had planned a date for June 28, 2026, to celebrate her second anniversary with other fellow travelers from the plane. Claudia, who was on the flight with her husband, considered sending a goodbye message to her children during the incident.
The investigation revealed that the engine problem was caused by a fuel-related issue stemming from the installation of an incorrect fuel quantity indicator (FQI) on the aircraft. The wrong FQI, intended for a different aircraft model (ATR 42 instead of the correct one), was installed after the original was reported faulty. This incorrect FQI gave false readings of the fuel volume, indicating a larger amount of fuel than the tanks actually held.
As a result, the aircraft was fueled based on these incorrect readings, leading to insufficient fuel being loaded. Mid-flight, both engines cut out due to fuel starvation, necessitating an unscheduled emergency landing in Bari. The error was compounded by issues in the inventory database that misclassified the part number and by the refueling and flight engineer personnel not noticing the inconsistency between the fuel amount loaded and the FQI reading.
The shock from the incident is still deep for many passengers days after. Claudia Raske, who was crying and holding her husband's hand during the incident, is one of the many passengers who have been affected. Despite the traumatic experience, the passengers are grateful for the safe landing and the support they received during the incident. The airline has since issued an apology and assured passengers of their safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
[1] Source: Aviation Week Network, "Boeing 737 Nose Gear Collapses After Unscheduled Landing in Bari, Italy," 2025.
- Claudia Raske, who initially planned a celebration on June 28, 2026, now associates the date with an unexpected air travel incident, causing her significant distress.
- Amidst the investigation, it was discovered that the engine problem was rooted in a lifestyle choice – the installation of an incorrect fuel quantity indicator for a different aircraft model, which affected the travel plans of many and raised questions about sports teams' support staff, who may have been responsible for the faulty installation.
