News Summary
A FedEx Boeing 757 made a crash landing at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport due to a hydraulic failure in its landing gear shortly after takeoff. The crew attempted a return landing after detecting a significant decrease in hydraulic fluid. Despite the challenges, all three crew members evacuated without injuries, highlighting their professionalism. An investigation by the NTSB revealed a faulty hydraulic hose as the main cause. The runway remained closed temporarily for emergency response and investigations but reopened the following morning.
Chattanooga – A FedEx Boeing 757 experienced a crash landing at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport late on October 4, 2023, due to a failure of its landing gear. The incident unfolded shortly after 11 p.m. local time as the aircraft departed for Memphis.
According to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the landing gear issue was traced back to a faulty hydraulic hose. Moments after takeoff, the flight crew noted a significant decrease in hydraulic fluid on the left side of the plane. This prompted the crew to attempt troubleshooting procedures as the aircraft was unable to successfully deploy its landing gear, indicating visible distress.
During the attempted return landing at Chattanooga, both the main landing gear and the nose landing gear failed to fully extend. The cockpit displayed a “Gear disagree” warning, which signified a malfunction in the deployment of the landing gear. Although the aircraft was cleared for landing, it was ultimately forced to touch down without the use of its wheels. Consequently, the plane slid off the end of the runway, coming to a stop more than 800 feet beyond the runway’s departure end, after colliding with antennas situated in the vicinity.
Post-landing, the flight crew faced challenges when trying to evacuate the aircraft. The left front door proved difficult to open, prompting the crew to eventually utilize the right front door for a successful evacuation. A slide was deployed to assist with the escape, and it was confirmed that all three crew members—a captain, a first officer, and a third pilot—emerged from the incident without any injuries.
Following the landing, smoke was observed emanating from the aircraft’s engines; however, fire personnel reported no active fire present. The NTSB acknowledged the professionalism exhibited by the flight crew, particularly their calm communication and effective management of resources during the emergency.
The investigation into the crash landing revealed that the hydraulic hose had multiple broken wire strands. These malfunctions were likely a result of an “overload event,” which can indicate that the hose experienced stress beyond its capacity. Additionally, issues with the deployment of the left front door were attributed to a mis-routed deployment strap, further complicating the evacuation process.
Due to the crash landing, the primary runway at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport was temporarily closed to facilitate emergency response and investigation efforts. However, the runway was cleared and officially reopened to air traffic the following morning.
FedEx, the operator of the aircraft, stated that it would defer any additional inquiries about the incident to the NTSB as the investigation moves forward.
This event underscores the potential hazards associated with aircraft hydraulic systems, emphasizing the need for rigorous safety protocols and maintenance checks to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The quick response of the flight crew is instrumental in ensuring the safety of those onboard, demonstrating the importance of training in emergency situations.
The details surrounding this incident highlight critical aspects of aviation safety and the challenges that can arise during flight operations. As investigations continue, further insights may emerge regarding preventative measures and safety enhancements in airline operations.
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- Local 3 News
- Wikipedia: Aviation Safety
- Times Free Press
- Google Search: FedEx plane crash landing gear failure
- News Channel 9
- Google Scholar: Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Failure
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aircraft Landing Gear
- AP News
- Google News: FedEx plane Chattanooga emergency landing
