autoevolution
 

DHL Boeing 757 Drifts, Slides Off the Runway and Breaks in Two

You can’t, shouldn’t and wouldn’t want to drift an airplane. But if it’s to happen, it’s best if it does with only property damage and no injuries, as was the case with this DHL cargo plane.
DHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runway 8 photos
Photo: Twitter / Noticias Columbia
DHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runwayDHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runwayDHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runwayDHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runwayDHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runwayDHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runwayDHL Boeing cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing, after skidding off the runway
A very dramatic scene unfolded at the Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica, where a Guatemala-bound cargo plane returned for an emergency landing, only 50 minutes after takeoff. The cargo plane in question, used by DHL and believed to be carrying hazardous materials, ended up drifting on the runway and then sliding off it altogether, breaking in two as it landed off the side, into a ditch.

Footage and photos from the crash are included below. Only the two pilots were on board, and neither suffered injuries in the crash. Emergency response units were already on site and were able to put out the flames and escort the crew to safety. They had reported a hydraulic failure ten minutes into the flight, which is also when the plane stopped its climb, according to Aviation Herald.

The plane was a 22-year-old Boeing 757-200 registered as HP-2010DAE and converted from passenger to cargo mode in 2010. After the takeoff, direction Guatemala, and the moment it stopped climbing, the aircraft continued in the air for 50 minutes more, circling the area to burn off fuel. The pilots then attempted the emergency landing.

Videos show the cargo plane touching down on the runway and then skidding on the collapsed left-landing gear, with sparks and smoke coming out. It then spins around and veers to the right, going off the runway and breaking apart close to the tail.

The Juan Santamaria Airport was closed temporarily following the crash, which caused delays to passenger flights. Based on the photos and videos, the damage to the aircraft is total, but there at least the white-knuckle hard landing did not result in injuries or casualties.







If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Elena Gorgan
Elena Gorgan profile photo

Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories