The Hindu : International : Landing tyre-less

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Friday, Jun 17, 2005

International

International

Landing tyre-less

JAL Boeing 767 has a rough but lucky touchdown

CLOSE SHAVE: The Boeing 767 sits on the runway. — Photo: AP

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday expressed concern about aircraft safety and ordered Japan's airlines to inspect their planes urgently after the tyres on the two front wheels of a Japan Airlines jet came off shredded on landing.

Two passengers on the JAL flight from New Chitose Airport in northern Hokkaido prefecture suffered whiplash injuries as the Boeing 767 braked to a stop on the runway at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Wednesday. The flight was carrying 222 passengers and crew.

The aircraft was left stranded in the middle of the runway. The consequent runway closures delayed 299 flights for up to two hours.

Some 17 flights were cancelled. Haneda has three runways. JAL officials said the tyres burst upon landing.

"It's not only JAL's problem," Mr. Koizumi said. "I want all airlines to check and investigate their aircraft maintenance... an aviation accident can be a catastrophe."

The Transport Ministry is investigating the cause of the accident. Passengers told the media they heard a loud crunching sound as the plane skidded to a halt.

The two pilots said they had noticed nothing unusual until the sudden jolt on landing.

Runway lights were also damaged along a 400-metre stretch.

The flagship carrier has been under mounting pressure amid a series of embarrassing safety lapses that have drawn widespread attention since January, when a JAL pilot in northern Japan attempted to take off without receiving approval from air traffic controllers.

JAL officials apologised for the incident but said it was rare for both tyres to come off together.

— AP

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