A dramatic scene unfolded at Melbourne Airport on Sunday night when an Etihad plane, carrying nearly 300 passengers, was forced to abort its take-off due to a terrifying technical issue.
The plane, bound for Abu Dhabi, had to slam on the emergency brakes just moments before taking to the air at 6:15 pm.
What Happened?
Etihad Airways flight EY461 had 289 passengers on board when the incident occurred. Footage from the airport showed multiple fire trucks rushing to the scene as the plane sat on the runway.
The plane’s wheels exploded, causing the landing gear to burst into flames, prompting the flight crew to reject the take-off for technical reasons.
Passenger Safety: The Top Priority
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported following the incident, according to a Melbourne Airport spokesperson.
Etihad Airways stated that the safety and comfort of their guests and crew remain their highest priority. The airline’s statement explained that the flight was aborted to maintain customer and crew safety.
Delays and Disruptions
The aborted flight caused delays to other services, with the Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service responding to the incident as a precaution.
Firefighting foam was deployed to prevent any further damage. Due to the damage to the aircraft’s tyres, the plane couldn’t be towed off the runway, and repairs are currently underway.
Despite the disruption, the airport has confirmed that one runway remains available for operations, which will be used for all arrivals and departures.
Investigation Underway
The incident is currently being investigated, and Etihad Airways has confirmed that the flight has been delayed.
The airline has apologised for the disruption and is working to get passengers to their destination as soon as possible.
This shocking incident highlights the importance of air travel safety and the quick thinking of flight crews in emergency situations.