FedEx Cargo Plane Crash-Lands in Chattanooga After Landing Gear Malfunction
Late Wednesday night, a FedEx cargo plane crash-landed at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in Tennessee, following a landing gear malfunction. Thankfully, all three pilots on board emerged unharmed, as confirmed by airport officials and first responders.
The FedEx Boeing 757 had taken off from Chattanooga en route to Memphis when it encountered landing gear issues, as reported in a statement by FedEx. The plane circled several times in an attempt to address the problem before making an emergency landing with its landing gear retracted, as noted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Oct. 4.
Upon landing, the plane slid off the runway and onto the grassy area, causing smoke to emanate from its engines. Thankfully, no fire erupted, as reported by the Chattanooga Fire Department. First responders from multiple agencies swiftly arrived at the scene, assisting the pilots in their safe exit from the aircraft.
As the FAA launches an investigation into the cause of the crash, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport announced the closure of its main runway until further notice. The airport expressed gratitude to the pilot and airport personnel for their effective handling of the emergency.
This crash landing is an uncommon incident for FedEx, renowned for operating one of the world’s largest cargo fleets. The company affirmed its cooperation with authorities and emphasized the safety of its crew in the aftermath of the incident.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, djournal.com