An Etihad Airways flight was forced to abort a high-speed take-off that led to two tyres bursting, as “high exhaust gas temperatures” in the engine caused an emergency halt of the Boeing plane.
Etihad Airways flight EY461 was due to take off from Melbourne, Australia to Abu Dhabi at 6.15pm local time on Sunday, 5 January for a 13-hour flight when the flight crew halted the take-off due to “operational reasons”.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in a statement to The Independent that the flight crew decided to reject the take-off due to observing “a high exhaust gas temperature indication from the aircraft’s right engine”.
During the aborted take-off, two of the aircraft’s tyres deflated, but no further damages or injuries were reported, the ATSB added.
In an updated statement, the airline told The Independent that “our pilots made the decision to reject take-off for operational reasons.
“This procedure is the safest course of action to protect everyone on board in such situations.
“The aircraft was safely brought to a stop, with emergency services attending as a precaution.
“As part of standard procedure, foam was applied to the landing gear tyres, and two tyres deflated – a normal occurrence in such cases.
Despite various reports stating that the flight was stopped after the tyres “burst”, the airline said the tyres deflated as a result of the aborted take-off and was not the cause.
Video footage from the scene showed fire services dousing the aircraft’s landing gear in foam, which Melbourne Airport also said was a precautionary measure.
“Our crew ensured guests were informed and supported throughout the process,” the Etihad spokesperson continued.
“All guests have been re-accommodated on alternative flights, and those requiring hotels have been provided with appropriate arrangements.
“The safety, comfort, and care of our guests and crew remain our highest priority,” the Etihad spokesperson added. “We regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.”
Melbourne Airport has confirmed that the Boeing 787, which was carrying 289 passengers during the take-off, had sustained damage to its tyres, and needed repairs before it was able to be towed off the runway.
Passengers have described the plane speeding up as it travelled down the runway in…
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