Last Update 16:21 pm (with official statement):
FlySaFair’s flight FA212, en route from OR Tambo International Airport to Cape Town, made a swift return to Johannesburg after experiencing a harrowing take-off incident on Sunday. Ground staff at OR Tambo detected a damaged wheel shortly after the aircraft’s 11:32 departure, prompting the decision to turn back. According to FlySaFair’s chief marketing officer, Kirby Gordon, the crew was promptly alerted and the plane was safely guided back for inspection. A low pass over the airport allowed technicians to visually assess the landing gear, revealing that one of the rear wheels had detached during take-off. Fortunately, the aircraft landed without incident at 2:06 pm, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew. An investigation into the cause of the tire damage is underway.
Update 14:19 pm (SAST/ South African Time):
From what we learned from passengers and witnesses at Johannesburg Airport, the Boeing 738 made a safe landing at Johannesburg Airport and was immediately followed by emergency services and fire command. After an initial inspection on the runway, flight SFR212 was seen taxiing but now still came to a stop on the runway. 21 R still seems to be closed.
Initial News:
Flight Safair 212 from Johannesburg to Cape Town has declared an emergency shortly after take off. The crew reported problems with their left rear gear. They just did a fly around and the below image was captured. The plane is in a holding pattern, burning fuel and preparing for an emergency landing back at Johannesburg airport.
The image shows a wheel missing at the left gear.
This is an ongoing event. We will try to update the news as soon as we get more information.
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https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/SFR212
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