FIRE crews swarmed a packed Boeing plane after its pilot was forced to abort take-off and “slam the emergency brake”.
Passengers on board the Etihad Airways flight EY461 bound for Abu Dhabi feared the plane’s tyres had burst after take-off was halted.
Fire engines were seen at the siteInstagram
InstagramThe plane had nearly 300 passengers onboard[/caption]
X/The Melbourne SnapThe plane appearing to be sprayed with firefighting foam[/caption]
Footage posted to social media shows the plane on the tarmac surrounded by fire services.
Emergency workers deployed firefighting foam as a precaution.
Initially it was believed that the plane’s landing gear caught on fire and the wheels exploded.
A passenger apparently on board told a friend who posted to Instagram that the plane “had to slam on the emergency brakes” while attempting take-off.
They also said that “apparently landing gear caught fire”.
But an Etihad spokesperson told The Sun that this wasn’t the case.
They said: “Etihad Airways flight EY461 from Melbourne (MEL) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) experienced a rejected take-off on 05 January 2025. The flight crew decided to halt the take-off for technical reasons, the aircraft was safely brought to a stop on the runway and emergency services attended as a precaution.
“Guests have been disembarked safely and our teams are working to enable them to continue their onward journeys as quickly as possible.
“Etihad Airways sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused. The safety and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priority.
“The fire service applied foam to the tyres on the aircraft’s landing gear, which is a routine precaution following a high-speed rejected take-off.”
The emergency has reportedly led to extensive delays in departures and arrivals at Melbourne Airport.
A Melbourne Airport spokesperson told The Sun: “Etihad Airways flight EY461 rejected take off this evening when departing Melbourne Airport for Abu Dhabi.
“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. All passengers have disembarked the aircraft and have been bussed to the terminal.
“We continue to have one runway available for operations, which will be used for all arrivals and departures. Disruptions to other flights have been minimal.”
In Australia too, two top pilots have been killed in a horror plane crash after plunging into the sea as a witness reveals their tragic final moments.
Mark White, 67, and Simon Peutrill, 69, were killed yesterday on board the Sting S4.
The plane left Coffs Harbour, Australia, around 3:30pm and was headed for South West Rocks – but never made it.
It lost control within 30 minutes of flying and crashed into the ocean.
One witness told 9 News that he heard the plane before it crashed.
He said: “[I] heard the plane actually go over home, which was very low.
“I knew that’s not right considering we don’t get much plane action around here.
“The engine was very low revving – it sounded as though it was struggling for power.”
What went wrong or how the two pilots lost control is being investigated.
White ran a flying school called Midcoast Microlights that operated out of Coffs Harbour.
Peutrill joined the school in 2022.
The second body was tragically recovered today amidst difficult conditions near Scott’s Head Beach, NSW chief inspector Stuart Campbell told media.
NineThe plane left Coffs Harbour, Australia, around 3:30pm and was headed for South West Rocks – but never made it[/caption]