New Delhi

A recent incident at Istanbul Airport stirred concerns as a FedEx Airlines Boeing 767 cargo plane made an emergency landing without its front landing gear.

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According to a Turkish Transport Ministry official, the aircraft, originating from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, encountered a landing gear malfunction, prompting it to seek guidance from the control tower upon approaching Istanbul's airspace.

The plane, however, managed to touch down safely on the runway, averting any casualties.

Authorities immediately launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.

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The cargo plane, a nearly decade-old Boeing 767 freighter, is one of the well-known models used for cargo aviation.

 While the exact cause of the landing gear failure remains unknown, scrutiny and assessments are underway at the scene.

Footage captured during the incident showed sparks flying and slight smoke emanating as the aircraft's nose scraped against the runway.

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However, prompt action from the airport rescue and firefighting teams ensured that the situation did not escalate into a more severe crisis.

Notably, the pilots executed emergency procedures, holding the plane's nose up during the landing, as trained for such scenarios.

The incident drew comparisons to a similar event in Charlotte, North Carolina, last year involving a Boeing 717 flown by Delta Airlines, which landed smoothly despite a malfunctioning nose gear.

Responding to the enquiries, Boeing directed queries to FedEx, which assured cooperation with investigative authorities and said that it would furnish additional information as it becomes available.

The incident led to a temporary closure of the runway at Istanbul Airport, although other runways continued to operate normally, as confirmed by the airport operator IGA.

While aircraft manufacturers like Boeing typically do not engage in post-service operations or maintenance, the incident draws attention amid heightened scrutiny on Boeing following a series of incidents involving its smaller 737 aircraft.

(With inputs from Reuters)