On a recent Sunday 21st April, a FlySafair Boeing 737-800 took off with more than just passengers and cargo – it seems one wheel decided to hitch a short, wild ride before calling it quits. Here's what went down, and how FlySafair managed to land safely despite the missing main landing gear wheel.
By Aditya M
This incident wasn't quite a "flight" of fancy; it was a real situation demanding cool heads and skilled manoeuvres. Thankfully, the crew remained calm and collected, opting for a safe return to Johannesburg instead of continuing to Cape Town.
The plane performed a holding pattern to burn off fuel, a necessary step before landing with a lighter weight. Imagine the sight from air traffic control – a plane circling overhead, not because of bad weather, but because it was missing a wheel!
Thankfully, the landing itself went smoothly, showcasing the expertise of the FlySafair team. While the runway was closed for a few hours, causing some delays, the most important takeaway is that everyone onboard emerged safe and sound.
Events like this, though scary, serve as a reminder of the incredible training and skill of airline crews. It's also a testament to the design of modern aircraft, built with redundancy in mind to handle even these unexpected situations.
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