Passenger Jet Horror: Wheel Falls Off During Take-Off, Crushes Car Below

An alarming incident unfolded as an aeroplane’s wheel detached mid-flight, crashing into a car below. The startling footage was captured when the tyre separated from the United Airlines aircraft en route from San Francisco to Japan, carrying 249 passengers.

The tyre landed in an employee parking lot, causing significant damage to a parked car before breaking through a fence and finally resting in a neighbouring area.

Responding swiftly, the Boeing 777 landed at Los Angeles International Airport, where firefighters awaited its arrival. Despite the unexpected turn of events, the aircraft landed safely, ensuring the well-being of everyone onboard.

Assuring the public of safety measures, United Airlines stated that the plane, constructed in 2002, was engineered to handle emergencies, including damaged tyres. Typically, Boeing 777s have six tyres on each main landing gear, demonstrating the aircraft’s resilience in such scenarios.

In the wake of the incident, aviation experts emphasized the rarity of such occurrences, stressing that they do not reflect broader safety concerns within the industry. Alan Price, the former chief pilot for Delta Airlines, underscored the importance of mitigating single points of failure in aviation systems, affirming the remaining tyres’ capacity to support the aircraft’s weight.

Clarifying responsibility for maintenance issues, John Cox, a retired pilot and aviation safety professor at the University of Southern California, pointed out that a United maintenance team likely conducted the tyre change, alleviating Boeing’s direct accountability. Cox reiterated that such incidents are typically attributed to maintenance factors rather than inherent flaws in the aircraft manufacturer’s design.

In conclusion, while the aeroplane’s wheel detachment was concerning, swift emergency procedures and the aircraft’s design ensured a safe landing. The incident serves as a reminder of the aviation industry’s commitment to safety and the resilience of modern aircraft in handling unforeseen challenges.