A FedEx cargo aircraft had to make an emergency landing at Istanbul Airport after its front landing gear malfunctioned. The Boeing 767 cargo plane was en route from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport to Istanbul when pilots noticed the issue. The plane landed at Istanbul Airport after two apparent missed approaches, making a low pass over the control tower to visually confirm the problem. The landing occurred on Runway 16R, which is currently closed for flights as efforts are made to tow the plane off the runway. Despite the intense situation, no casualties were reported, and the cabin crew evacuated the plane without any injuries.
The incident at Istanbul Airport caused temporary disruptions, with Runway 16R being closed while the aircraft was being moved to a secure area. However, other runways, including backup ones, continued to operate without issues. Istanbul Gov. Davut Gul highlighted that Istanbul Airport is one of the most comprehensive and qualified in the world, so a disruption on one runway does not affect flights overall. The Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) service teams acted swiftly to ensure the safety of everyone involved, managing the situation effectively and preventing any casualties from occurring. An investigation into the accident, which involved a Boeing 767 cargo plane, is ongoing.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the cargo plane involved in the incident at Istanbul Airport, has faced recent controversies related to quality control issues. These include a panel blowing off a 737 Max plane mid-flight, as well as reported flight control problems on a United Airlines 737 Max during landing. The Federal Aviation Administration has also raised concerns about de-icing equipment safety on Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner planes. Despite these issues, the planes are still allowed to fly, with Boeing asserting that the problems do not pose an immediate risk. As the investigation into the FedEx cargo plane’s emergency landing continues, attention is drawn to the overall safety of Boeing aircraft.
The situation at Istanbul Airport garnered attention on social media, with videos and photos of the emergency landing circulating online. The images showed the cargo plane using its back landing gear and then dipping its nose with the front portion of the fuselage touching the runway after landing. Istanbul Airport operator IGA emphasized that while Runway 16R was temporarily closed, all other runways, including backup ones, were operating smoothly. The ARFF teams on the ground worked to relocate the aircraft to a secure area and resume flight operations on the affected runway, ensuring minimal disruptions to airport activities.
Despite the tense situation and the challenges faced during the emergency landing, the response at Istanbul Airport was praised for its effectiveness in preventing any casualties from occurring. Istanbul Gov. Davut Gul commended the airport’s infrastructure and the swift actions of the ARFF teams, noting that flights continued without major disruption on other runways. Efforts to tow the cargo plane off the closed runway were underway, with a focus on quickly returning to normal flight operations. As the investigation into the incident progresses, questions regarding the safety and reliability of Boeing aircraft continue to be raised, underscoring the importance of thorough quality control measures in the aviation industry.
