Incident on Air France Flight AF7562

Incident on Air France Flight AF7562 — Technical Malfunction and Engine Surge (December 20, 2025).

AeroMorning December 23, 2025

On December 20, 2025, Air France flight AF7562 from Paris-Orly to Ajaccio, Corsica, experienced a technical engine issue shortly after cruising altitude was reached. The aircraft, an Airbus A320-200 powered by two CFM56 engines, was diverted to Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport after the flight crew shut down the left-hand engine due to abnormal vibrations and indications.

Passengers reported a loud bang, strong vibrations, and brief flames near the wing, which some described as an engine “fire”. Airlines and experts clarified that no persistent fire or smoke alarm occurred, and the aircraft landed safely on one engine.

Understanding Engine Surge and Possible Causes

An engine surge — also called a compressor stall — is a temporary disruption of airflow through the jet engine. Normally, air smoothly flows through the compressor stages; if this airflow is disturbed (for example, by air pockets, ingestion of debris, bird strikes, engine icing, or fuel control issues), the compressor blades can stall, causing:

• loud noises or “bangs”
• severe vibrations
• sudden pressure changes
• brief visible flames or exhaust anomalies

Modern CFM56 engines are among the most widely used and reliable in the world, but like all complex machinery, they can occasionally suffer surges.

Crew Response and Safety Outcome

The flight crew acted in accordance with safety procedures:

• they shut down the affected engine,
• declared an emergency diversion,
• and landed safely in Lyon with no injuries reported.

Passengers were later re-accommodated on a different aircraft and transported to Corsica. Some passengers have announced intentions to file complaints, citing distress from the event.

Investigation and BEA Involvement

In France, incidents involving technical malfunctions that affect flight safety are usually followed by an investigation. The Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA) may be tasked to:

• examine the engine components,
• analyze flight data and cockpit voice recordings,
• and determine the exact root cause among the possible contributors (surge, ingestion, mechanical failure, or other anomalies).

A BEA report is typically published months after the incident once all data is reviewed.

Frequency of Engine Surge Events

Engine surges with visible flames are extremely rare in commercial aviation relative to the millions of flights operated annually. Most occur in older engine models or under specific environmental conditions (e.g., severe temperature shifts, turbulence, ingestion of birds). Aircraft and engine manufacturers design systems to detect and mitigate surges long before they threaten flight safety.