Damage to cargo plane that shut Hong Kong airport runway more extensive than first reported
- Plane suffered ‘extensive damage’ to tyres and significant hydraulic leakage, complicating efforts to move aircraft, Airport Authority says
Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has revealed further information about what forced one of its runways to close for eight hours earlier this week, saying a 300-tonne cargo plane suffered “extensive damage” to its tyres and significant hydraulic leakage that complicated efforts to move the aircraft.
The authority, which runs the airport, said on Thursday that the B747-400 plane operated by Atlas Air burst two tyres upon making an emergency landing and sustained damage to the wheel rims, rendering it immobile on the north runway on Monday morning.
“Multiple airfield ground light fittings and runway pavement surfaces” were also damaged, necessitating emergency repairs, it said.
The runway was closed while workers attempted to lift the aircraft, still carrying its cargo, so the tyres could be changed, the authority added.
“Significant hydraulic leakage from the aircraft body and extensive damage of the tyres and wheel rims had complicated the lifting process, resulting in a longer processing time for tyre replacement,” it said.
The runway resumed operation after the aircraft was towed away at 3.45pm, more than eight hours later. During that time, the airport was left with only one functioning runway, resulting in delays to about 450 flights.
