Boeing’s 3 crashes in 2 days
New air safety fears after dramatic incidents on separate runways
FRESH fears have been raised over airline safety after three Boeing jets crashed on runways in just two days.
The tyre of a Boeing 737-800 burst when the plane landed in Turkey yesterday.
A total of 190 people were evacuated from the aircraft, which was flying from Cologne and stopped on the runway after landing at Gazipasa airport.
Pictures showed its crumpled front wheels and landing gear, but Turkey’s Corendon Airlines denied reports its aircraft had landed on its nose.
Footage also emerged yesterday showing the moment terrified passengers fled a burning Boeing 737-300 jet that skidded off the runway and caught fire during take-off at Blaise Diagne airport near Senegal’s capital Dakar.
A video clip taken by one traveller showed one of the 78 passengers fleeing the wreckage as flames poured from its left engine. Emergency crews evacuated the passengers, 11 of whom were injured – four seriously so – though no deaths were reported.
Both incidents came a day after a Boeing 767 cargo plane operated by FedEx made an emergency landing at Istanbul Airport when its front landing gear failed.
Dramatic video showed the nose of the plane skidding across the runway and sparks flying from the fuselage as it came to a halt.
There is no suggestion that Boeing is to blame for any of the crashes. Investigations are ongoing in each case. But the incidents will only compound woes for the company, which is already facing intense scrutiny amid a string of safety mishaps.
CEO Dave Calhoun announced in March that he would be stepping down at the end of this year.