Wheel of British Airways flight 'collapses' on landing

The landing gear of a British Airways flight operated by Comair collapsed shortly after touching down at Johannesburg's OR Tambo worldwide Airport on Monday, the airline said.

"The aircraft skidded on the left engine nacelle and wingtip before coming to rest on the runway".

"The wing of the plane was scraping along the ground and the fire brigade came over and sprayed the plane with foam". It uses British Airways-branded planes but its pilots and cabin crew are not from British Airways.

The plane was carrying 94 passengers and six crew at the time and none were injured, according to a statement from Comair. The plane is presently in standstill after its main wheel collapsed underneath.

Jason Saunders, who was on the flight, said the female pilot did "super well" in keeping them safe.

Naidoo said contrary to speculative reports, the plane did not crash-land. Travellers described sparks shooting from the plane's wing as it scraped along the tarmac at Johannesburg airport.

A spokesman for Airports Company SA, which operates nine of South Africa's airports, told that passengers were facing short delays.

Comair says that, following preliminary investigation by the local authorities, it was cleared to remove the aircraft and unload baggage. "As soon we have more information on hand we will be releasing it to the media".

 

Due to safety and security reasons, the runway has been closed.