It was not the kind of flat anyone wants during rush hour, but a plane still managed to land safely at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday afternoon even though it was riding on two flat front tires, the city’s fire department said. Fire crews were already positioned on the tarmac as technicians checked the aircraft, and all passengers were reported uninjured. Officials said the plane’s carrier and origin were not immediately available.
According to CBS New York, the FDNY received the call at 4:45 p.m. after reports that the inbound flight’s front tires were flat. The outlet reported that the situation triggered a two-alarm standby that brought 141 fire and EMS personnel to the airport, and that no injuries were reported.
FDNY Staged a Large Standby
FDNY units remained on the airfield while airport operations were evaluated and technical crews examined the aircraft. JFK is run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the airport’s own materials describe how ground operations work with emergency responders during incidents, JFK Airport notes.
What Happens Next
After a landing like this, the airline’s maintenance team typically inspects the nose gear and tires before the aircraft is either cleared to return to service or taken out of rotation for repairs. Federal accident and incident reporting guidance explains that landing gear issues can draw follow-up from the FAA or the NTSB, while airlines handle the first round of safety checks, according to the FAA.
There was still no immediate word on which carrier operated the flight or where it originated, CBS New York reported. Travelers with flights through JFK late Tuesday were advised to check directly with their airline or the airport for any potential schedule changes, since airline apps and airport displays carry the most current updates.
Officials again emphasized that no one was hurt and said more details were expected once inspections wrapped up and incident paperwork was completed. Additional information is expected from the airport or the airline as the inquiry moves forward.
