Johannesburg - Passengers screamed as they desperately clung on to their seats when British Airways flight number BA6234 experienced difficulty while landing at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday.
“We skidded for what seemed like an eternity. A few people screamed but suddenly everyone was quiet. We were all shocked. Sparks were flying all over the runway,” said Roland Williams, a passenger.
The plane, he said, landed on its left wing.
“It seems like the landing gear failed.
“Immediately after the crash I looked around – those next to me were fine but they were shocked.”
The flight was travelling from Port Elizabeth and there were 94 passengers and six crew members on board. After the plane came to a stop, the passengers were told to remain seated.
“We were stranded in the plane for close to 20 minutes. We ended up using the rear exit,” Williams said.
“Great work from the pilots for reacting speedily, it could have ended in a disaster.
“The cabin crew were also excellent, and they immediately explained what had happened so that the passengers didn’t panic.”
British Airways Comair confirmed one of its planes was involved in an incident at the airport.
“The aircraft was on the runway for a short period performing a standard landing when the crew noticed an unusual vibration which was followed shortly by the collapse of the left landing gear,” said Comair CEO Erik Venter.
The company said the incident was being investigated.
All passengers and crew members were evacuated, with no reports of any injuries.
Pictures circulating on social media showed the aircraft slanting to one side and its left wing touching the ground.
Flights at OR Tambo - Africa's busiest airport - were delayed by up to an hour due to the temporary closure of the runway following the incident, according to the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa).
The Star and AFP
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