A routine arrival turned into a heart-stopping emergency at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport when a Delta Air Lines aircraft suffered a dramatic landing gear failure moments after touching down.
The Moment of Crisis
Flight DL412, operating from Cancún, Mexico, had completed what appeared to be a normal landing when disaster struck during taxiing. Witnesses reported seeing the Boeing 757 suddenly tilt to one side as its right-side landing gear unexpectedly gave way.
"We heard this awful crunching sound and the whole plane just leaned over," described one shaken passenger. "For a moment, everyone thought we were going to flip over completely."
Emergency Response in Action
Airport emergency services sprang into immediate action, with fire crews and medical teams rushing to the scene. The swift response ensured all 189 passengers and crew members were evacuated safely via emergency slides.
- All passengers evacuated without serious injury
- Emergency slides deployed successfully
- Minor injuries treated at the scene
- Runway operations temporarily suspended
Airline and Airport Response
Delta Air Lines issued a statement confirming the incident and emphasising that passenger safety remained their top priority. "We're grateful to our crew for their professional response and to airport emergency services for their swift action," a spokesperson stated.
JFK Airport authorities confirmed that the incident caused significant disruption to flight schedules, with several arrivals and departures being delayed or diverted to alternative airports while recovery operations continued.
Investigation Underway
Aviation safety investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration have launched a full inquiry into the mechanical failure. Early reports suggest the collapse occurred during the taxiing phase rather than upon landing, raising questions about potential maintenance issues.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of aircraft maintenance and the vital role of emergency preparedness in aviation safety protocols.
