Etihad Airways flight aborts takeoff at Melbourne Airport after wheels explode
A Melbourne Airport spokesperson confirmed the Etihad Airways flight, carrying 289 passengers, had ‘rejected takeoff’ during the incident.
An Etihad Airways flight was forced to abort takeoff at Melbourne Airport on Sunday evening after two of its wheels reportedly exploded.
A Melbourne Airport spokesperson confirmed the Etihad Airways flight EY461 bound for Abu Dhabi “rejected take off” at Melbourne Airport at about 6.41pm on Sunday.
“The Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service responded to a request from the aircraft and deployed fire fighting foam as a precaution,” the spokesperson said.
“All 289 passengers safely disembarked the aircraft and were bussed to the terminal yesterday evening.”
Damage to the plane’s tyres meant it was unable to be towed from the runway and left the airport with just one operational runway, causing disruptions to other flights.
The aircraft has since been towed and the runway it was blocking reopened at about 8am on Monday, the Melbourne Airport spokesperson confirmed.
“The Etihad aircraft has been safely towed from the runway at Melbourne Airport,” the spokesperson said.
“Runway inspections have been completed and the runway has been reopened for operations this morning.”
In an earlier statement, a spokesperson confirmed the incident had disrupted other flights.
“Due to damage to the aircraft’s tyres, we have been unable to tow it off the runway. Repairs are currently underway,” the spokesperson said.
“We continue to have one runway available for operations, which will be used for all arrivals and departures. While there have been no cancellations at this stage, there have been disruptions to some flights.
“Some flights have departed with less fuel and will need to refuel on the way to their final destination.”
The Herald Sun reports two of the plane’s wheels exploded, and that the flight was forced to “slam on the emergency brakes” just moments before it attempted to take to the air.
Etihad Airways has been contacted for comment.
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