Last Friday evening at Melbourne-Orlando International Airport, a flight carrying approximately 350 passengers was forced to abort its takeoff, according to officials. The TUI Airways flight bound for Birmingham, England, experienced a mechanical error that necessitated the abrupt halt. Upon exiting the runway, the aircraft's right main landing gear collapsed, causing the plane to veer off into the grass.
The incident, which occurred around 11:10 p.m., did not result in any injuries, as confirmed by Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey. According to a report by FOX 35 Orlando, Alfrey praised the response of the airport team and first responders, saying, "I want to commend our airport team and first responders for working late into the night during this incident." The passengers were safely deplaned and transported to local hotels by bus.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the Boeing 787 was forced to abort due to an alarm inside the cockpit, as ClickOrlando reported. Ground crews responded quickly to assist the passengers and began to address the situation involving the stuck aircraft. Mayor Alfrey has emphasized the professionalism of the airport personnel, indicating in a social media post that they showed why they are among the best in the aviation field.
Mechanics from STS Technical Services were brought in to help assess the issue and initiate the process to move the plane safely. According to WESH, the airport staff, including the Operational Safety Section and Menzies aircraft ground handling services, were to remain on the scene throughout the recovery operation. Despite the potential stress induced by such an unexpected event, the teams managed to keep the situation under control, ensuring the safety of all passengers on board.
The incident is currently under further investigation to determine the precise cause of the mechanical alarm that prompted the takeoff to be aborted. Latest updates will provide more context as the situation continues to be assessed and resolved.
