A Boeing777, with hundreds of passengers onboard, was seen dragging its tail down the runway while attempting a takeoff at the Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy. The incident was caught on the CCTV cameras at the airport. As the aircraft, operated by LATAM Airlines, malfunctioned, a portion of its rear structure collapsed during the takeoff on Tuesday, July 9, according to local publication Corriere della Serra.
The passenger aeroplane was meant to depart for Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The dramatic video of the takeoff shows the rear portion of the aircraft touching the runway for many seconds while attempting to take off. Thick, grey smoke covered the areas as the aircraft dragged along the hard concrete surface before a portion of its rear structure fell off on the ground. Despite the mishap, the pilots were able to lift the jet off the ground.
Tail Strike.El 9 de julio, un Boeing 777 de Latam Brasil sufrió un “Tail Strike” durante el despegue en el Aeropuerto Milán Malpensa (Italia).
Qué es un tail strike ?Por qué podría suceder ?
Lo comento en el Hilo ????➡️ pic.twitter.com/ixiRobUAiH
— GaboAir (@GaboAir) July 13, 2024
FlightRadar data indicated that it completed nine loops over Milan Malpensa Airport in around 75 minutes.
After reaching altitude, the pilots asked the control tower for authorisation to descend back to the airfield for a check-up.
According to The Sun, the Italian authorities are investigating the accident in collaboration with Brazilian and US officials
Experts questioned by Corriere said that if the pilots had cancelled the flight, they might not have been able to control the aircraft, which could have resulted in disastrous consequences.
“The pilots were good, from what we can see, at not panicking and maintaining control of the aircraft until it took flight,” an aviation expert told the publication.
Aviation experts have praised the pilots for their poise and situational awareness, pointing out that it would have been a “massacre” if they had aborted the manoeuvre.
Following its touchdown, the LATAM Airlines aircraft safely taxied to the gate.
Based on aviation data, the aircraft was being repaired at MXP, and there were no scheduled flights following the July 9 incident.
The aeroplane sustained significant damage and is still grounded.
Comments
0 comment