5 Critical Safety Incidents: Why Logan Flights Are Returning To BOS After Takeoff In Late 2025

The safety of air travel is paramount, but a series of alarming incidents at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in late 2025 has put the spotlight firmly on operational and mechanical reliability. As of today, December 18, 2025, the aviation community and traveling public are scrutinizing a disturbing pattern of flights being forced to abort takeoff or return shortly after departure due to significant mechanical and system failures. These events, ranging from a dramatic engine fire caught on video to a rare "Mayday" declaration, highlight the intense pressures and inherent risks in modern air travel, prompting immediate investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The recent cluster of high-profile aborted takeoffs and immediate returns to Logan is not a typical fluctuation in maintenance issues; instead, they represent severe technical malfunctions that required swift, expert action by flight crews to prevent catastrophe. This deep dive examines the most critical incidents from the past few months, revealing the specific technical failures, the aircraft involved, and the ongoing safety review at one of the busiest airports in the United States.

The Most Alarming Recent Takeoff and Return Incidents at Boston Logan (BOS)

The frequency and severity of recent disruptions at Boston Logan International Airport have raised serious questions about maintenance protocols and aircraft readiness. The following incidents represent the most critical "flights return takeoff issue" reports from the latter half of 2025.

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1. The SWISS Flight 55 Engine Fire: A Rejected Takeoff Nightmare

One of the most visually shocking incidents occurred on September 16, 2025, involving SWISS International Air Lines Flight LX55, a scheduled service to Zurich (ZRH).

• Incident: Aborted Takeoff (Rejected Takeoff).
• Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
• Airline & Flight: SWISS International Air Lines (LX55).
• Aircraft Details: An Airbus A330-300 (A333), specifically registered as HB-JHM, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772 engines.
• The Issue: The flight crew was forced to stop the takeoff roll after a severe issue with the right-hand engine. Eyewitness video footage confirmed that flames erupted from the engine, a clear sign of a serious mechanical failure, likely a compressor stall or uncontained engine failure, during the critical takeoff phase.
• Outcome: The pilots executed a textbook rejected takeoff, bringing the aircraft to a safe stop on the runway. Emergency services responded immediately, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. The FAA confirmed it was investigating the engine issues.

2. American Airlines AA2616's Mayday Declaration Due to Multiple System Failures

Just a month prior, a different type of systemic failure forced an American Airlines flight to declare a "Mayday"—the highest level of emergency—shortly after leaving the runway.

• Incident: Emergency Return (Mayday Declaration).
• Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025.
• Airline & Flight: American Airlines (AA2616).
• Aircraft Details: An Airbus A321, a common narrow-body jet used for domestic routes.
• The Issue: The flight, bound for Philadelphia (PHL), reported "multiple system failures" shortly after takeoff while climbing through 8,100 feet. The severity of the technical malfunction prompted the crew to declare a Mayday, indicating a situation of imminent danger requiring immediate priority landing clearance.
• Outcome: The experienced flight crew successfully managed the crisis, turning the aircraft back toward Boston Logan and executing a safe emergency landing. The aircraft was met by emergency vehicles as a precaution. The incident underscores how quickly a technical issue can escalate into a life-threatening situation, requiring a rapid return to the departure airport.

Understanding the Causes: Mechanical Failure vs. Operational Error

The recent spike in dramatic incidents at BOS suggests a combination of factors, which are now under intense scrutiny by aviation bodies. When a flight returns or aborts takeoff, the cause generally falls into two major categories: mechanical issues or operational/air traffic control (ATC) errors.

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Aviation Safety Entities and Investigations

The investigations into the SWISS and American Airlines incidents are complex, focusing on specific aircraft components and maintenance records. The FAA and NTSB are the primary bodies tasked with determining the root cause of these failures, which can range from faulty sensors to component fatigue. The goal is to issue safety directives that prevent similar occurrences globally.

• Engine Failure Analysis: In the case of the SWISS A330, investigators will examine the Rolls-Royce Trent 772 engine for signs of foreign object damage (FOD), component wear, or a catastrophic internal failure. The presence of visible flames suggests a severe malfunction, likely requiring immediate engine shutdown.
• Systemic Failures in AA2616: The "multiple system failures" on the Airbus A321 are often harder to diagnose. This could involve interconnected avionics issues, hydraulic problems, or electrical bus faults. The Mayday call suggests a loss of critical systems necessary for continued safe flight.

The Threat of Runway Incursions: Near-Misses at Logan

Beyond mechanical issues, Logan has also been the site of recent operational close calls, further compounding the airport's safety concerns. These incidents, known as runway incursions, involve an unauthorized presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on a runway, often leading to a last-second aborted takeoff or go-around.

• Delta/Cape Air Close Call: The FAA recently launched an investigation into an incident where a Delta Air Lines flight was instructed to perform a go-around while a Cape Air plane was cleared to take off or land on the same runway. Such operational errors, while not a "takeoff issue" in the mechanical sense, force pilots to execute emergency maneuvers, placing immense stress on the aircraft and passengers.
• Aborted Takeoff Due to Other Aircraft: Another recent event saw a jet abort its takeoff when another airliner on the ground got too close, highlighting the constant challenge of managing traffic at a busy hub like BOS.

The Impact on Passengers and Aviation Confidence

For passengers, an aborted takeoff or an emergency return is a terrifying experience, often involving rapid deceleration, the smell of burning components, or the announcement of a serious emergency. While the professionalism of the flight crews in all these incidents ensured a safe outcome, the cumulative effect of these high-profile failures erodes public confidence in air travel safety.

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The focus on Logan International Airport safety is now paramount. Airlines operating out of BOS, including American Airlines, SWISS, Delta Air Lines, and Cape Air, are cooperating with the FAA and Massport (the airport operator) to review all maintenance logs and operational procedures. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the "logan flights return takeoff issue" becomes a rare anomaly, not a recurring safety pattern, by implementing necessary changes in maintenance scheduling, component replacement, and air traffic control protocols.

Travelers should remain assured that the aviation industry is one of the most regulated in the world, and every incident, especially those involving a rejected takeoff or a Mayday declaration, leads to rigorous analysis and immediate corrective action to keep the skies safe.