Atlas Air Boeing 747 Returns to Seoul Due to Hydraulic Failure and Tire Damage

An Atlas Air Boeing 747 returned to Seoul due to hydraulic failure and landing gear damage, marking its third incident this month. These events highlight rigorous aircraft safety standards and pilot training, essential in ensuring aviation safety despite occasional operational challenges.

Boston Brand Media - Earlier this week, an Atlas Air Boeing 747 freight aircraft experienced hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff from Seoul. As a result, the aircraft had to return to the airport, where it additionally incurred damage to its landing gear during the landing process. This incident adds to a series of operational disruptions the aircraft has faced in recent weeks.

‍Atlas Air Boeing 747 Diverts Back to Seoul

The incident involved a 33-year-old Boeing 747-400F operated by Atlas Air, scheduled for a flight from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) on June 11th. According to reports from The Aviation Herald, shortly after takeoff from ICN, the aircraft experienced a hydraulic failure, prompting the pilot to halt the ascent at 10,000 feet altitude.

To ensure a safe landing, the pilot descended to 7,000 feet to dump fuel, adjusting the aircraft's weight within the acceptable limits for landing. Approximately 90 minutes after departure, the aircraft returned to ICN. Upon landing, it was discovered that the left landing gear had three burst tires, causing the aircraft to become immobile on the runway.

This incident marks another in a series of recent operational challenges for this particular aircraft.

Boston Brand Media also found that the Reports indicate that during departure, the aircraft experienced tread separation on two of its tires, resulting in damage to the hydraulic system number 1. Upon landing back at ICN, the third tire also sustained damage.

As of now, the aircraft remains grounded at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN). What makes this situation unusual is that the aircraft was not originally scheduled to be in Seoul.

On the Previous Day

On June 10th, the day before the incident at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), the Atlas Air Boeing 747-400F was originally scheduled to depart from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC). However, the departure from HKG was delayed by more than two hours. Despite the delay, the flight eventually took off.

Approximately three hours into the flight, the aircraft diverted and landed at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) instead of continuing to its intended destination of ANC in Alaska. The aircraft remained grounded at ICN for a day before departing once again for Anchorage. Unfortunately, it encountered hydraulic failure during its climb out from ICN and had to return to the airport, where it sustained damage to its landing gear upon landing.

‍A Difficult Period

A week prior to the incidents at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), the Atlas Air Boeing 747-400F was involved in another notable incident. On June 2nd, while operating a service from Anchorage to Mexico City, the pilots identified an issue with one of the aircraft's tires during take-off. This prompted them to execute an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Fortunately, the emergency landing at LAX was successful, and the aircraft was able to taxi to the stands under its own power. Following the incident, the aircraft remained on the ground at LAX for approximately 11 hours before continuing its journey to its original destination, Mexico City.

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Source: Simple Flying