An Etihad plane with nearly 300 passengers on board caught alight as it was about to take off from a busy city airport, with witnesses watching on in horror.
The terrifying scenes occurred after a landing gear burst into flames, which caused two tyres to dramatically explode. Ready to depart from Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday night (UK morning), the Etihad Airways flight EY461 was bound for Abu Dhabi before the chaos ensued.
Those waiting in the terminal managed to catch the blaze on camera, which shows the plane on the tarmac surrounded by fire engines.
It is believed that there have been no reports of injuries as of yet. One frightened passenger told Australian news channel 3AW that the pilot “had to slam on the emergency brakes” during take off. Airport offiicials have now closed off the runway, number 34, as the Boeing 787 jet with two burst wheels remains on the tarmac.
(Image: Instagram/jacquifelgate)
All 289 passengers were safely evacuated from the damaged vessel and have reportedly returned to the terminal.
“Etihad Airways flight EY461 rejected take off this evening when departing Melbourne Airport,’ an airport spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
“The Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service responded to a request from the aircraft and deployed fire fighting foam as a precaution.
“Due to damage to the aircraft’s tyres, we have been unable to tow it off the runway. Repairs are currently underway. We continue to have one runway available for operations which will be used for all arrivals and departures.”
It is reported that the fire has caused delays in both departures and arrivals in Melbourne airport, the second busiest in Australia.
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