By Turkish authorities have initiated an investigation into the emergency landing of a FedEx Express Boeing 767 cargo plane at Istanbul Airport.
The aircraft, which was on the final leg of its flight from Paris to Istanbul, touched down without its front landing gear, according to a Turkish Transport Ministry official.
Despite the alarming situation, the official confirmed that there were no casualties reported.
The incident unfolded when the pilots realized that the front landing gear had failed to open during the approach to Istanbul Airport.
The aircraft promptly informed the control tower of the malfunction and received guidance for the emergency landing.
Remarkable footage shared on social media captured the heart-stopping moment as the Boeing 767 touched down using only its back landing gear.
The plane’s nose then dipped, with the front portion of the fuselage making contact with the runway.
Thanks to the skilled guidance from the control tower, the aircraft managed to remain on the runway throughout the landing.
State-run news agency Anadolu reported that airport rescue and firefighting teams were swiftly deployed before the landing as a precautionary measure.
However, their services were not required, as no injuries were reported among the crew or any ground personnel.
The aircraft involved in the incident is a nearly 10-year-old Boeing 767 freighter, a widely used cargo plane based on the popular 767 passenger model that dates back to the 1980s.
The cause of the front landing gear failure remains unclear at this stage, and the ongoing investigation aims to shed light on the factors that led to the malfunction.
An official from Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure confirmed that their teams are conducting thorough examinations at the scene as part of the comprehensive investigation.
FedEx expressed its cooperation with the investigation authorities in a statement, assuring that additional information would be provided as it becomes available.
As a result of the emergency landing, the affected runway was temporarily closed to air traffic. However, Istanbul Airport’s operator, IGA, confirmed that other runways remained fully operational, minimizing disruption to the airport’s overall operations.
While aircraft manufacturers are not typically involved in the operation or maintenance of jets once they enter service, Boeing has been under intense media and regulatory scrutiny in recent years due to a series of incidents involving its 737 aircraft.
However, it is important to note that the Boeing 767 involved in this incident is a different model and is not related to the issues surrounding the 737 series.
The successful emergency landing of the Boeing 767 cargo plane at Istanbul Airport, without any reported casualties, is a testament to the skill and professionalism of the pilots and the guidance provided by the control tower.
As the investigation unfolds, aviation authorities and experts will work diligently to determine the cause of the front landing gear failure and implement any necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
