WILLEMSTAD - A DHL freighter made an emergency landing at Hato International Airport last Friday. That at around 10 p.m.
The pilot of the aircraft had sounded the alarm at the control tower just before ten o'clock. The aircraft had a hydraulic failure and requested a precautionary landing.
In most aircraft, the hydraulic system is responsible for powering the heavy-duty systems such as the landing gear, flight controls, brakes, cargo doors and thrust reversers – all essential items when it comes to stopping safely.
Both the airport's fire brigade and the regular fire brigade of Curaçao were on standby at the runway to assist in case of calamities.
During the landing procedure, the tires of the right main landing gear flew to shreds. Despite this, the pilot stopped the aircraft and the crew was able to disembark safely.
The airport was closed to all other air traffic after the DHL Boeing 737 landed. After the aircraft stood still on the runway for several hours, it was towed to the platform, where an investigation is being conducted into the cause of the technical problems.
Photo credit: Larry Every