aviation investigation Archives - Page 2 of 15

Milan, Italy: A baggage cart carrying checked luggage caught fire at Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy on Sunday, August 16, shortly before the baggage was due to be handled for a British Airways flight to London Heathrow, prompting airport firefighters to intervene and damaging a small number of passengers' bags. The incident occurred on the airport apron and did not involve a fire onboard the aircraft. The fire involved an Aviapartner baggage-handling cart at Milan Malpensa. The handling company operates ground services at the airport, and the cart had just completed baggage handling associated with a British Airways flight arriving from London when it caught fire. Initial reports focused on the possibility of a lithium-ion battery inside one of the bags, but subsequent airport-source information pointed to an electrical fault in the ground vehicle instead. The incident was captured on video by former BBC journalist Jon Sopel, who was at Malpensa waiting to travel on British Airways flight BA585 from Milan to London Heathrow. The footage showed dense black smoke rising from the baggage container, with flames visible around the luggage. Ground personnel moved other baggage containers away from the burning unit to prevent the fire from spreading before airport fire crews arrived. The aircraft associated with BA585 was an Airbus A321neo registered G-NEOT, powered by two CFM International LEAP-1A32 engines. The scheduled route was Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), with British Airways operating the service under flight number BA585. The fire occurred before the affected luggage could create a fire risk inside the aircraft. The burning baggage unit remained on the ground and was dealt with by airport emergency crews. The other containers were moved away from the fire, helping prevent the flames from spreading to additional baggage or equipment. Firefighters extinguished the blaze rapidly using water. British Airways confirmed that some passengers' checked baggage was damaged. In a statement, the airline said: “We’re aware of a small number of checked bags that were damaged by fire while on the ground at Milan Malpensa Airport. The incident was quickly dealt with, and there were no injuries or impact to any flights.” The airline added: “We’ve been in contact with the small number of customers whose bags are affected to apologise and provide support. We are working closely with our partners, and an investigation is underway to establish the cause.” That statement is significant because it confirms that the fire affected checked baggage on the ground but did not result in injuries or a fire onboard the aircraft. It also shows that British Airways had not initially announced a confirmed cause and was relying on an investigation with its ground-handling partners. The investigation remained underway, while British Airways confirmed that only a small number of checked bags were damaged and that there were no injuries.

British Airways BA585 Baggage Cart Carrying Checked Luggage Catches Fire At Milan

Aviation Today News Desk / August 18, 2026

Milan, Italy: A baggage cart carrying checked luggage caught fire at Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy on Sunday, August 16,

Muan, South Korea: South Korean police on August 11 raided the state-run Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation as investigators widened their probe into the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport that killed 179 people in December 2024. The searches were carried out by a special police investigation team seeking additional evidence over suspected professional negligence resulting in death or injury and possible failures by government agencies and other bodies responsible for airport safety and operations. Police said the investigation is examining both the cause of the December 29, 2024 crash and whether relevant authorities properly performed their duties. A police official said 45 people are currently facing suspicions of professional negligence resulting in death or injury, while investigators are also considering whether charges linked to causing a serious public disaster could be applied. The latest searches targeted KAC, which operates most of South Korea’s major airports except Incheon International Airport, along with the Transport Ministry and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation. The action marks another major phase in a criminal investigation that has continued for more than a year as investigators examine decisions surrounding Muan Airport’s construction, safety oversight, airport infrastructure and the response to the crash. The crash involved Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 operating from Bangkok to Muan. The aircraft was carrying 181 people when it attempted an emergency landing at Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024. After a bird-strike-related emergency, the aircraft landed without its landing gear deployed, slid along the runway and struck a concrete structure supporting a localizer antenna before breaking apart and catching fire. Only two crew members survived, while 179 passengers and crew members were killed. The criminal investigation has increasingly expanded beyond the aircraft itself to possible institutional and infrastructure failures. Police have been examining events dating back to the construction of Muan Airport in 1999 to determine whether decisions made during the airport’s development created conditions that contributed to the disaster. In February 2026, the special investigation team raided the Busan Regional Office of Aviation and a company involved in construction at Muan Airport, seeking evidence connected to possible contributing factors. At that stage, police had booked 45 people on suspicion of occupational negligence and were examining whether the Serious Accidents Punishment Act’s provisions concerning a serious public disaster could apply. The investigation was further expanded in March, when police raided the Transport Ministry to obtain additional material concerning the crash and the conduct of government agencies. Investigators specifically examined whether officials responsible for aviation navigation and airport operations had properly carried out their duties. Police said the probe was looking for factors dating back to the beginning of Muan Airport’s construction. A major development came in March 2026 when South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection identified serious shortcomings in the approval and management of airport safety infrastructure. The state auditor found that the Transport Ministry had approved 14 non-compliant localizer installations at eight airports, including Muan, and that some installations had been certified as meeting frangibility requirements despite not doing so. The audit identified 30 cases of wrongdoing or procedural failure, including shortcomings in bird-strike prevention and aviation safety management. At Muan, investigators found that a 2.4-metre-high concrete embankment supporting the localizer had been built partly to reduce construction costs because the terrain around the runway and Runway End Safety Area was sloped. The Board of Audit and Inspection said the structure had been approved by the Transport Ministry in 2003 without an adequate vulnerability assessment. Korea Airports Corporation later requested a review of the structure in 2007, but no changes were made. The structure was subsequently reinforced during a modernization project between 2019 and 2024. International aviation standards call for localizer installations in areas exposed to aircraft impact to be designed so that they can break apart rather than present a rigid obstacle. The state audit found that the ministry had continued to certify such installations and approve inspections that incorrectly indicated compliance for periods extending as long as 22 years. The Transport Ministry said it “humbly accepted” the audit findings and said it would take strict follow-up measures, including improvements to localizer structures and stronger bird-strike prevention. Korea Airports Corporation also said it was implementing improvements recommended in the audit. The infrastructure findings have become particularly significant because a separate government-commissioned simulation examined what might have happened had the concrete embankment not been present at the end of the runway. The simulation, cited in January 2026 reporting, suggested the outcome could have been substantially different without the rigid structure. The findings intensified scrutiny of how the localizer installation was designed and approved. The criminal probe is also unfolding alongside a renewed examination of the accident investigation itself. In May 2026, President Lee Jae Myung visited Muan International Airport after additional human remains were discovered during renewed recovery operations more than a year after the crash. He called for a thorough reinvestigation and criticised shortcomings in the original recovery process. “Given the size and condition (of the additional remains), they should not have been overlooked,” Lee said, adding that “the lax handling of the scene was clearly a problem.” He also instructed officials to consider using outside experts for the reinvestigation. The renewed investigation followed concerns that the original recovery operation had not fully recovered victims’ remains and that officials lacked adequate procedures and oversight. The discovery of additional remains prompted the government to revisit not only the recovery process but also the wider handling of the disaster. The technical investigation into the crash had earlier established evidence of a bird strike. A preliminary accident report released in January 2025 found feathers and blood stains in both engines of the Boeing 737-800. DNA testing identified the remains as Baikal teals, migratory ducks that winter in South Korea. The report, however, did not establish that the bird strike alone caused the crash. It also noted that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder stopped recording about four minutes before impact, leaving critical portions of the final sequence unavailable. The preliminary investigation said authorities would conduct further examinations of the engines, recorders, air traffic control data, bird-strike evidence and the localizer structure. Subsequent reporting in July 2025 cited a source familiar with the investigation as saying there was “clear evidence” that the pilots shut down the less-damaged engine after the bird strike. However, that finding was part of the continuing technical investigation and was disputed by victims’ families, who questioned aspects of the investigation and its transparency. The crash therefore remains under examination on several fronts: the bird strike and resulting aircraft systems problems, the sequence of cockpit decisions, the loss of recorder data, the runway and airport infrastructure, the approval and maintenance of the localizer structure, bird-strike prevention, regulatory oversight and the actions of government agencies before and after the accident. The August 11 raids represent the latest step in the separate criminal investigation into potential responsibility and negligence. Police are now seeking additional records from the organisations responsible for airport operation, aviation oversight and infrastructure, while considering whether the conduct of officials and other responsible parties could amount to professional negligence or a serious public disaster offence. The full accident investigation has yet to provide a final public account resolving all outstanding questions surrounding the crash. The latest police action, coming after the state audit findings and the government's renewed examination of the crash site, places greater focus on whether failures in airport design, regulatory approval, safety oversight or emergency response contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

Investigation

Jeju Air Crash Probe Widens As South Korean Police Raid KAC, Transport Ministry

Aviation Today News Desk / August 11, 2026

Muan, South Korea: South Korean police on August 11 raided the state-run Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), the Ministry of Land,

New Delhi, India: Air India’s A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suffered multiple technical and mechanical glitches, including three hydraulic-system failures, an autopilot disconnect and a flight-control stall warning before suddenly losing around 300 feet in altitude, according to information reported by PTI, citing sources. The aircraft encountered turbulence during the August 4 incident, which left 17 people injured. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo registered VT-EXO, was cruising from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi when the sudden altitude loss occurred. According to PTI, the autopilot disconnected during the flight, after which the co-pilot manually regained control. A flight-control stall warning then appeared, while several indicator switches briefly went off. Sources also told PTI that the aircraft experienced multiple other technical and mechanical glitches alongside the turbulence. The latest information indicates that the aircraft experienced three separate hydraulic failures. Hydraulic systems use pressurised fluid to operate critical aircraft components, including flight-control systems, making the reported failures a significant part of the ongoing investigation. The crew managed to stabilise the aircraft and subsequently continued the flight to Delhi, where it landed safely. Air India said the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise before stabilising and continuing normally to Delhi. The flight carried 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. At least 17 people, 13 passengers and four crew members were reported injured and taken for medical evaluation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the occurrence as a serious incident under ICAO Annex 13, which governs aircraft accident and incident investigations. The aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been secured for examination as investigators work to establish what triggered the altitude loss and the reported technical problems. Airbus has confirmed that it is sending specialists to India to provide technical assistance to the investigation. The manufacturer said it was supporting the relevant investigating authorities in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) is also joining the investigation because the A320 is manufactured in France. Teams from Airbus and BEA are expected to assist the AAIB as investigators examine the aircraft and recorded flight data. The latest technical findings remain preliminary and have not been established as the final cause of the incident. The reported triple hydraulic failures and other malfunctions are based on sources cited by PTI; they are not yet findings formally released by the AAIB. The investigation is continuing, with technical specialists expected to examine the aircraft’s systems and recorded data before any conclusions are reached. A separate line of investigation concerns the pilot-in-command’s post-flight psychoactive-substance screening. The Civil Aviation Ministry said an initial screening result was “not negative” and required confirmatory laboratory testing. The pilot’s sample was subsequently sent for further analysis, and the final confirmatory result was still awaited in the latest reports. The ministry has not disclosed what substance, if any, was indicated by the initial screening. The distinction is important because an initial “not negative” screening result does not by itself establish drug use. The pilots’ body, ALPA India, has said that commonly used over-the-counter medicines can also produce a non-negative result in psychoactive-substance screening. The confirmatory laboratory test is therefore expected to determine whether the initial result was caused by a prohibited substance or another factor. Both pilots have been taken off flying duties pending the investigation, according to reporting on the ministry’s action. Air India has said it was aware that post-flight screening had been conducted under applicable procedures but had not initially been informed of the results. The final laboratory findings remain an important part of determining whether the screening result has any connection to the August 4 occurrence. The incident was initially widely described as a severe-turbulence event after passengers and crew were thrown from their seats during the sudden altitude change. The newer information from PTI, however, adds a series of reported technical malfunctions including autopilot disconnection, a flight-control stall warning, briefly extinguished indicators and three hydraulic failures to the investigation. Whether these issues caused, contributed to or merely coincided with the altitude loss remains to be established by the AAIB probe. For now, the cause remains officially undetermined. Investigators are examining the aircraft’s systems, flight-recorded data, cockpit recordings and other evidence, with Airbus and France’s BEA assisting the AAIB. The outcome of the pilot’s confirmatory psychoactive-substance test is also awaited. Until those investigations are completed, the reported technical failures and the initial screening result should not be treated as established causes of the incident.

Airlines

Air India A320neo Reportedly Suffered Three Hydraulic Failures During Phuket-Delhi Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / August 11, 2026

New Delhi, India: Air India’s A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suffered multiple technical and mechanical glitches, including

Aircraft Crashes

Texas Couple Killed After Small Plane Crashes Near Bogalusa Airport In Louisiana, US

Aviation Today News Desk / August 8, 2026

Bogalusa, United States: A Texas husband and wife were killed Thursday morning when a small plane Beechcraft H35 Bonanza crashed

Investigation

Brazil Formally Accuses 16 Voepass Employees Over 2024 ATR Crash That Killed 62

Aviation Today News Desk / August 7, 2026

Vinhedo, Brazil: Brazilian federal police have formally accused 16 current and former Voepass employees over the August 2024 crash of

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into a serious runway incursion involving two Qantas-operated aircraft at Sydney Airport after an air traffic control clearance resulted in one aircraft being instructed to cross an active runway while another was still landing. The incident occurred on 27 July 2026 at approximately 08:14 local time, and although no collision occurred, the safety watchdog has classified it as a breakdown in coordination and opened a formal investigation. According to the ATSB, the occurrence involved Qantas Flight QF124, a Boeing 737-800 registered VH-XZG, which had arrived from Queenstown, New Zealand, and QantasLink Flight QLK424D, a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 registered VH-QOC, arriving from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Preliminary information released by the ATSB states that after landing on Runway 25, the Boeing 737 was instructed by air traffic control to taxi and cross Runway 34L. At the same time, the Dash 8 Q400 had been cleared to land on Runway 34L and was still completing its landing roll along the active runway. As the Boeing approached the runway crossing point, air traffic controllers recognised the developing conflict. The ATSB said the 737 crew stopped the aircraft before entering Runway 34L, while the Dash 8 continued its landing roll on the runway. Because the Boeing halted short of the runway, the two aircraft remained separated and no collision occurred. No injuries or aircraft damage were reported, and both aircraft subsequently continued normal ground operations. The ATSB has not released the number of passengers or crew on board either flight. The safety bureau has opened investigation AO-2026-086 to determine the factors that led to the runway incursion. Investigators will examine the sequence of air traffic control clearances, coordination between controllers, recorded radio communications, surveillance data, aircraft movements, human factors and operational procedures. The investigation will also assess whether any broader systemic issues contributed to the occurrence. In its initial investigation notice, the ATSB described the event as involving a breakdown of coordination between aircraft movements on intersecting runways. The agency noted that evidence collection is underway, including interviews with relevant personnel and analysis of operational data. A final report is expected before the end of 2026, although the timeline may change depending on investigative findings. The incident has renewed attention on staffing pressures within Australia's air traffic control system. Recent media reports have highlighted controller shortages and increased workload at Sydney Airport, with industry representatives raising concerns over staffing levels. Airservices Australia has acknowledged workforce challenges and said it is recruiting and training additional controllers, while noting that qualification training takes several years before recruits can work independently in complex airspace. Airservices Australia confirmed it is cooperating fully with the ATSB investigation and said safety remains its highest priority. The organisation has not provided further comment while the independent investigation is ongoing. Qantas also confirmed it is assisting the ATSB and stated that both flight crews were operating in accordance with air traffic control instructions issued during the event.

Incidents

ATSB Investigates Runway Incursion Involving Two Qantas Aircraft At Sydney Airport

Aviation Today News Desk / August 5, 2026

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into a serious runway incursion involving two Qantas-operated

collided in mid-air near Chilliwack Airport in British Columbia on August 3, 2026, prompting a multi-agency investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), Transport Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). According to an RCMP statement issued on August 4 by Staff Sgt. Kris Clark, senior media relations officer with RCMP E Division, Chilliwack RCMP responded to reports of a mid-air collision at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Monday, August 3. "Members of the Chilliwack RCMP responded to a report of a mid-air collision between two planes that occurred in the Chilliwack area at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Monday, August 3," Clark said. Clark said Chilliwack RCMP, the Lower Mainland District Police Dog Services (LMD IPDS), Chilliwack Fire Department, and Chilliwack Search and Rescue (SAR) searched for the downed aircraft after receiving the report. "A small plane was located in a pond near Industrial Access Road in Chilliwack. The second plane was able to make it back safely to the airport. The occupants did not sustain injuries," Clark stated. The RCMP said its Underwater Recovery Team (URT) recovered the submerged aircraft and located the pilot. "The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team (URT) attended the scene and located one male deceased victim and the plane. Recovery efforts are currently underway," Clark said. The statement added that the Chilliwack RCMP General Investigation Services Team (GIST) is assisting federal investigators. "Chilliwack RCMP General Investigation Services Team (GIST) is currently supporting Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) with their ongoing investigation. This multi-agency investigation is working to understand the circumstances that led to the collision," Clark said. The RCMP has not identified the deceased pilot, nor has it released a suspected cause of the collision. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed it has deployed an investigation team to Chilliwack following the occurrence. The agency said investigators would collect evidence and assess the accident involving two Cessna 172 aircraft. The TSB reiterated that its role is to advance transportation safety and that it does not assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability. Before the RCMP confirmed the fatality, Garry Atkins, manager of Chilliwack Airport, told The Canadian Press that the aircraft involved were operated by two local flight schools. He said one aircraft, carrying two occupants, landed safely at Chilliwack Airport, while the second aircraft, with one person on board, came to rest in a quarry lagoon after the collision. RCMP and Transport Canada have not publicly identified or confirmed the involvement of any specific flight schools at the time of reporting. As of August 5, investigators have not publicly determined what caused the two aircraft to collide. The identities of the pilots and the sequence of events leading to the collision remain under investigation.

Aircraft Crashes

Pilot Dead After Two Cessna 172 Aircraft Collide Mid-Air Near Chilliwack Airport

Aviation Today News Desk / August 5, 2026

Chilliwack, Canada: A pilot was killed after two Cessna 172 aircraft collided in mid-air near Chilliwack Airport in British Columbia

crashed while attempting to land at the Dan Creek airstrip near McCarthy, Alaska, with federal investigators probing the fatal accident. According to the Alaska State Troopers, the crash was reported at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 27, 2026, after a personal aircraft went down at the Dan Creek airstrip, located roughly 15 to 20 miles east of the remote community of McCarthy in the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. Responders reached the site aboard a state aircraft early the following morning and discovered the wreckage shortly after 6 a.m. on July 28, confirming that all three occupants had died. An initial report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Piper PA-22-150, a four-seat, single-engine airplane operating as a personal flight. According to the FAA, the aircraft banked left while landing, impacted terrain and caught fire, resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft and killed the pilot and two passengers. The remains of the three occupants were recovered from the wreckage and transported to the Alaska State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy and formal identification, Alaska State Troopers said. Family members have identified local pilot Jason Lobo and 23-year-old Anadyr Elliott as two of the three people killed in the accident. The identity of the third occupant had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation into the accident after being notified by Alaska State Troopers. The agency is expected to determine the circumstances and probable cause of the crash. The accident remains under investigation, and authorities have not released any additional information regarding factors that may have contributed to the crash.

Aircraft Crashes

Three Killed After Piper PA-22 Crashes During Landing Attempt At Alaska Airstrip

Aviation Today News Desk / July 30, 2026

Alaska, United States: Three people were killed after a Piper PA-22-150 crashed while attempting to land at the Dan Creek

Benin City, Nigeria: An Enugu Air Embraer E170 overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at Benin Airport in Edo State, Nigeria, on July 23, with 63 passengers and five crew members on board. All 68 occupants were accounted for and no injuries were reported. The aircraft, registered 5N-ENR, was operating Enugu Air Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin when the runway excursion occurred at approximately 3:10 p.m. local time, according to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). The aircraft reportedly continued beyond the end of Runway 05 during the landing before leaving the runway area. Early reports described the aircraft as having veered into the surrounding area beyond the runway, while images and videos circulating after the incident showed the Embraer E170 off the paved runway surface. Emergency personnel responded to the occurrence, and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated or disembarked. The NSIB confirmed that there were 63 passengers and five crew members on board, correcting earlier media reports that had cited different passenger figures. Enugu Air confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as a runway excursion after landing. The airline said all passengers and crew had safely disembarked and that there were no injuries or casualties. The carrier said the aircraft had been secured and that the relevant aviation authorities had been notified in line with established procedures. It added that an assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence was underway. The NSIB has since launched an investigation into the incident. Its Go Team was mobilised and reached the occurrence site within minutes of notification. Investigators are gathering and preserving evidence, interviewing the flight crew and other relevant personnel, examining the aircraft, assessing runway conditions and reviewing operational and technical information. The cause of the runway excursion has not yet been established. Authorities have not publicly attributed the incident to any specific technical failure, weather condition, braking problem or pilot action, and the investigation is expected to determine the circumstances and contributing factors. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and relevant airport authorities have been notified, while the aircraft remains secured as investigators conduct their work. NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. said the bureau was relieved that all passengers and crew members were safe but stressed that runway excursions are serious occurrences requiring thorough and independent investigation. He also urged the public to refrain from speculation while investigators work in accordance with international standards. The NSIB said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, in line with regulatory requirements. A final investigation report, including any safety recommendations, will be published after the investigation is completed. The incident also temporarily disrupted flight operations at Benin Airport as emergency responders secured the aircraft and aviation officials began assessing the situation. The incident occurred less than three weeks after Enugu Air officially commenced commercial operations, making the runway excursion one of the first significant operational incidents involving the newly launched state-owned carrier. However, with all 68 people on board safe and the investigation still in its early stages, authorities have yet to determine exactly why the aircraft overran the runway.

Incidents

Enugu Air Embraer E170 Overruns Runway At Benin Airport With 68 On Board, All Safe

Aviation Today News Desk / July 24, 2026

Benin City, Nigeria: An Enugu Air Embraer E170 overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at Benin Airport in

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: A TezJet McDonnell Douglas MD-83 carrying 181 people suffered a dramatic landing gear collapse during its takeoff roll at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, July 7, forcing an emergency evacuation and temporarily shutting down the country's busiest airport. All passengers and crew escaped safely, with no fatalities or serious injuries reported, although several occupants sustained minor cuts, bruises and abrasions while evacuating via emergency slides. The aircraft was operating scheduled domestic flight K9117 from Bishkek to Osh when its left main landing gear collapsed while accelerating for departure on Runway 26. Airport authorities said the pilots were able to reject the takeoff because the aircraft was still travelling at a relatively low speed. After coming to a stop, the aircraft leaned sharply onto its left side, causing the left wing to scrape the runway and rupture, resulting in a jet fuel leak. Emergency crews, including airport firefighters, responded immediately as fuel spilled onto the runway. Despite the leak, there were no reports of a post-incident fire. The flight crew initiated an emergency evacuation using inflatable escape slides, allowing all 181 including 152 adults, 11 teenagers, and 18 children occupants to leave the aircraft safely. Authorities said several passengers suffered minor abrasions, cuts and bruises during the evacuation, but none required treatment for life-threatening injuries. No official breakdown of passengers by adults, children or infants has been released. Images from the scene showed extensive damage to the MD-83. The aircraft came to rest tilted onto its left wing, while the lower empennage (tail section) was torn away during the incident. Debris and spilled fuel were visible around the aircraft as emergency personnel secured the area. According to the state airport operator, Airports of Kyrgyzstan, Manas International Airport was temporarily closed following the occurrence while emergency responders removed the aircraft and ensured the runway was safe for operations. The airport later began restoring normal flight movements after the scene was secured. The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, a twin-engine narrow-body airliner from the MD-80 family. Aviation Safety Network identified the aircraft as operating TezJet Flight K9117 and reported that the incident occurred during the takeoff roll after the left-hand main landing gear collapsed. The MD-80 family, introduced in the 1980s, continues to serve with a limited number of operators worldwide despite its age. As of publication, neither TezJet nor Kyrgyz aviation authorities have announced the cause of the landing gear failure. An investigation has been launched to determine what led to the collapse, and investigators are expected to examine the aircraft's landing gear system, maintenance records and flight data before issuing preliminary findings.

Incidents

TezJet MD-83 Landing Gear Collapses During Takeoff In Kyrgyzstan, 181 Evacuated

Aviation Today News Desk / July 8, 2026

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: A TezJet McDonnell Douglas MD-83 carrying 181 people suffered a dramatic landing gear collapse during its takeoff roll

aviation investigation

British Airways BA585 Baggage Cart Carrying Checked Luggage Catches Fire At Milan

Jeju Air Crash Probe Widens As South Korean Police Raid KAC, Transport Ministry

Air India A320neo Reportedly Suffered Three Hydraulic Failures During Phuket-Delhi Flight

Texas Couple Killed After Small Plane Crashes Near Bogalusa Airport In Louisiana, US

Brazil Formally Accuses 16 Voepass Employees Over 2024 ATR Crash That Killed 62

ATSB Investigates Runway Incursion Involving Two Qantas Aircraft At Sydney Airport

Pilot Dead After Two Cessna 172 Aircraft Collide Mid-Air Near Chilliwack Airport

Three Killed After Piper PA-22 Crashes During Landing Attempt At Alaska Airstrip

Enugu Air Embraer E170 Overruns Runway At Benin Airport With 68 On Board, All Safe

TezJet MD-83 Landing Gear Collapses During Takeoff In Kyrgyzstan, 181 Evacuated

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