Watch: Aircraft makes nose-down emergency landing
An Asia Pacific Airlines cargo plane has landed at Guam’s international airport without functioning landing gear.
Three crew members were on board, and no one was injured, according to airport spokeswoman Rolenda Faasuamalie. No fire or smoke was reported.
The incident happened yesterday as the airport control tower received an alert that there was a situation on board that “may affect safe landing,” Faasuamalie said.
The plane released fuel to become lighter, and also performed a touch-and-go manoeuvre, which means the aircraft practiced a landing before making an actual attempt, she said. The aircraft then spent extra time in the air to expend more fuel.
The incident did not impact airport operations, Faasuamalie said. There were slight delays – by minutes – for a few flights, and the airport remained fully operational.
According to flightaware.com, that plane was headed from Guam to Pohnpei before it was diverted. It arrived on Guam from the Marshall Islands.
At the scene, the airplane’s nose could be seen tilted low to the ground. Other aircraft continued to land at the airport after the cargo plane touched down.