Azerbaijan Airlines Jet Skids Off Runway in St. Petersburg
An Azerbaijan Airlines Airbus A320 carrying 155 passengers and crew skidded off the runway during an emergency landing at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport on Monday. The aircraft, operating as Flight J2-020 from St. Petersburg to Baku, was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a reported landing gear malfunction.
According to Russia’s North-West Transport Prosecutor’s Office, the A320 veered off the tarmac and came to rest on a grassy area beside the runway. Emergency slides were deployed, and all passengers were safely evacuated without injury. Photos released by Russian authorities showed the aircraft surrounded by rescue vehicles and firefighting equipment, underscoring the scale of the response at one of Russia’s busiest airports.
Local media, including The Moscow Times, reported that operations at Pulkovo were briefly disrupted, causing several flight delays and diversions. Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed that a replacement aircraft was dispatched from Baku to collect stranded passengers. The airline said it is cooperating fully with Russian investigators to determine the cause of the mechanical failure.
While no injuries occurred in St. Petersburg, the incident highlights ongoing concerns over aircraft maintenance and operational safety amid surging post-pandemic air traffic. Aviation authorities in Russia and Azerbaijan have both launched investigations, with the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders expected to shed light on the landing gear malfunction and subsequent runway overrun.
In a separate aviation accident the same day, a Turkish-operated cargo plane crashed during landing in Hong Kong. The aircraft, Flight EK9788, operated by ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, collided with a ground vehicle and veered off the runway into shallow water near the airport perimeter. Two people, including a ground crew member, were killed in the accident.
Authorities in Hong Kong have launched a full investigation, working with international safety agencies. Images from the scene showed severe fuselage damage and rescue teams battling to contain fuel leaks.
The twin incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of aviation emergencies. While Azerbaijan Airlines’ quick response averted tragedy in St. Petersburg, the Hong Kong cargo crash serves as a reminder of the persistent risks faced by crews both in the air and on the ground.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=azerbaijian+airlines, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, thedailybeast.com