flying in / arriving
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come flying in
To approach a place by flying and arrive there. Refers to birds, insects, or airplanes.
Ein Schwarm Stare kam angeflogen und ließ sich auf dem Baum nieder.
A flock of starlings came flying in and settled on the tree.
'Angeflogen' is the past participle of the separable verb 'anfliegen' (to fly toward/approach by flying). It is almost always used in the fixed combination with the verb 'kommen' (to come) to describe an arrival or a sudden appearance.
Plötzlich kam ein seltener Vogel angeflogen.
Suddenly, a rare bird came flying in.
The structure in the sentence is fixed: the verb 'kommen' (to come) is conjugated and stands in position 2 in the main clause, while 'angeflogen' remains unchanged at the end of the sentence.
Gestern kam ein Heißluftballon über unser Haus angeflogen.
Yesterday, a hot-air balloon came flying in over our house.
The subject of the sentence determines the meaning. If it is something that can fly (bird, airplane), the meaning is literal. If it is something abstract (idea, feeling), the meaning is figurative.
Ein Rettungshubschrauber kam angeflogen.
A rescue helicopter came flying in.
to appear
'erscheinen' and 'angeflogen' can both describe something suddenly coming into view. 'erscheinen' is general and neutral: a person, object, or image becomes visible. 'angeflogen' is used in the phrase 'angeflogen kommen' (to come flying in) when something approaches by flying, for example a bird, an insect, or an airplane. Colloquially, it can also mean that something appears very suddenly. So 'erscheinen' fits in many more situations; 'angeflogen kommen' is more specific when movement through the air or sudden appearance is important.
Plötzlich kam eine Biene angeflogen und setzte sich auf mein Glas.
Suddenly a bee came flying in and landed on my glass.
Nach dem Nebel erschien langsam der Turm der Kirche.
After the fog, the church tower slowly appeared.