Atlas Air had similar emergencies to case that shut Hong Kong runway; city in touch with US
- US-based Atlas Air’s cargo jet burst two tyres landing in Hong Kong and airline suffered similar problems in South Korea and Los Angeles
Hong Kong aviation authorities have followed up with their American counterparts as reports emerged the US-based airline involved in an emergency landing that caused an eight-hour runway closure also suffered two similar incidents with the same model of plane this month.
The city’s Civil Aviation Department said it had been in touch with the United States Federal Aviation Administration after a 747-400 freighter operated by Atlas Air burst two of its tyres on the north runway. The plane was left stranded, forcing delays to 450 flights.
Atlas Air also reportedly suffered two similar incidents this month with the same model of Boeing aircraft. Another of the airline’s 747-400 cargo jets was forced to return to Incheon International Airport in South Korea due to a hydraulic failure on Tuesday last week. Three tyres sustained damage, according to media reports.
Industry publication Aviation Herald reported that the same aircraft had landed at Los Angeles International Airport with damaged tyres nine days earlier.
In a reply to the Post on Friday over the string of incidents, the department said it “has requested the concerned airline to provide a comprehensive response and has followed up with the Federal Aviation Administration”.
It added: “The maintenance checks of an aircraft are established based on the recommendations of the aircraft manufacturer.”
