A cargo plane encountered a harrowing incident during its emergency landing in Colombia, as its landing gear caught fire upon touchdown. The dramatic moment was captured on camera by plane spotter Darwin Claro at Ernesto Cortissoz Airport in Barranquilla. The footage shows the Aerosucre plane emitting sparks and flames from its landing gear as it landed on the runway. Fortunately, the fires extinguished themselves as the Boeing 727 came to a stop.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Plane-Landing-Gear-Flames-121525-ddb9ca3a601449208ec2eae9e1950d4b.jpg)
The unsettling occurrence took place on Friday, December 12, according to a statement from the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil). The authority revealed that the plane faced a “technical malfunction” shortly after takeoff, specifically with the left main landing gear failing to retract properly. In response to the issue, the crew declared an in-flight emergency and opted for a controlled landing with the left landing gear partially retracted.
A collaborative effort ensued involving Aerosucre, Air Traffic Control, the fire department, and airport management to manage the situation. Operators utilized oversized cargo cranes to unload the plane’s 19 tons of cargo, lift the aircraft, and manually deploy the left landing gear. This careful operation allowed for the safe towing of the plane off the runway. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries during the incident, as confirmed by Aerocivil’s statement on December 12.
Following the incident, Aerosucre, a cargo airline based in Bogotá, Colombia, made the decision to retire the aircraft involved and remove it from its fleet. The company emphasized its commitment to upholding high safety, efficiency, and quality standards in all of its aviation operations. However, the airline did not provide an immediate response to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
As aviation safety remains a top priority, incidents like this serve as reminders of the importance of prompt and coordinated responses to technical failures during flights. The successful handling of this emergency landing underscores the significance of comprehensive safety protocols and preparedness in mitigating potential risks and ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew.
Such incidents highlight the crucial role played by regulatory authorities, airline operators, and emergency response teams in swiftly addressing aviation emergencies. The coordinated efforts demonstrated in this case exemplify the importance of effective communication, quick decision-making, and meticulous execution in navigating challenging situations in the skies.
As the airline industry continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, the emphasis on safety and resilience remains paramount. The proactive measures taken by Aerosucre and relevant authorities following the emergency landing underscore the industry’s relentless commitment to enhancing safety standards and safeguarding the well-being of all individuals involved in air travel.
In conclusion, while the incident may have been alarming, the successful outcome of the emergency landing serves as a testament to the effectiveness of well-coordinated response strategies and adherence to stringent safety protocols in ensuring the safe resolution of in-flight emergencies.