Runway Closed at Raleigh-Durham Airport RDU After Aircraft Landing Gear Failure
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina experienced significant disruptions on September 8, 2024, when a small aircraft encountered a landing gear failure during takeoff. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:15 PM local time, resulted in the temporary closure of one of the airport’s runways.
The aircraft, a 45-year-old Beechcraft owned by Raleigh Flying Club, was scheduled to fly from RDU to Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). The plane, which had two people on board, suffered a landing gear malfunction, leading to the failure of its propellers and the aircraft coming to rest on its underside on runway 5R-23L. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
ABC11 provided coverage of the event, showing the aircraft in a precarious position on the runway, with the propellers visibly bent. Emergency crews swiftly responded to the situation, and a tow truck was dispatched to remove the disabled aircraft.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Beechcraft was being used for flight training by the Raleigh Flying Club, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The club is known for offering pilot training services to local aviators.
The closure of runway 5R-23L lasted for over two hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the runway and ensure safety. During this time, the airport’s longer runway, 5L-23R, remained operational to accommodate incoming and outgoing flights.
The incident highlights the importance of rapid response and coordination between airport operations and emergency services to minimize disruption and maintain safety standards at busy airports.
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