Air France Boeing 777 returns to Martinique after engine surge shortly after takeoff

An Air France Boeing 777-300ER registered F-GSQO operating flight AF895 from Fort-de-France to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport was forced to return to Fort-de-France on 21 February 2026 after experiencing an engine surge shortly after departure.

According to the airline, the crew decided to turn back approximately 25 minutes into the flight in line with manufacturer procedures and company safety protocols. The aircraft landed normally at around 21:30 local time.

A source indicated that flames were visible from one of the engines during the incident. The captain later described the event as a surge in the right engine, caused by disrupted airflow leading to irregular combustion. He emphasised that while visually impressive, an engine surge is a known and comparatively less dangerous phenomenon than a major engine failure. Air France noted that such events are well understood and that flight crews receive regular simulator training to manage them safely.

Passengers were assisted at the airport, and a replacement aircraft was scheduled to be dispatched from Paris. The airline reiterated that safety remains its top priority and apologised for the disruption.