Boeing 727 cargo plane lands without functioning landing gear

An Asia Pacific Airlines cargo plane landed at Guam’s international airport Friday 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 aircraft took off from Guam at 1:08 p.m. local time on a “training flight,” Faasuamalie said. It was scheduled to return to the island at 3:15 p.m. local time.

At around 2:55 p.m., 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 maneuver, 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 crew on board called the final approach at 4:15 p.m., and the plane landed at 4:16 p.m. she said.

The incident did not impact airport operations. There were slight delays – by minutes – for a few flights, and the airport remained fully operational, Faasuamalie said.

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.

Airport rescue and firefighting units, the Guam Police Department and the Guam Fire Department responded to the incident. Airport police controlled traffic around the airport.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration aircraft registry, the plane was a Boeing 727 turbo-jet engine aircraft.

(Culled from www.usatoday.com)