Como dizer "O avião pegou fogo" em inglês

IMO, usually the expression "caught fire" would hint that there was a major fire with substantial damage.
http://avherald.com/h?article=49666e3e&opt=0

Technically one would talk about "smoke" or "strong odour/burning odour" etc, and would specify if it was in the engine, would say that it was observed in the lavatory etc. And would mention if it was inflight (performing flight) or on the ground etc.
That is a possible event, but these days there are safety precautions that make flying safer and safer by the day.
http://avherald.com/h?article=49674920&opt=0
http://avherald.com/h?article=4966a29b&opt=0

Not so technically (in layman´s terms, and in casual conversation), one can say that "there was a fire" somewhere in the plane.