A Saudi Arabian Airlines flight traveling from Riyadh to Peshawar, Pakistan, carrying over 200 passengers, experienced a fire during landing at Peshawar International Airport on Thursday. The airline released a statement confirming the incident.
According to the statement, smoke emanated from one of the aircraft’s tires upon landing. The pilots immediately brought the plane to a stop and evacuated all passengers and crew safely using the emergency slides.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokespersons reported that air traffic controllers observed smoke and sparks originating from the left landing gear as the plane landed. They promptly alerted the pilots and the airport’s fire and rescue services. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames that engulfed the landing gear.
The airline stated that the aircraft is currently undergoing a comprehensive technical evaluation by specialists, including repairs, inspections, and tests, to ensure its safety before being placed back in service.
Peshawar airport officials confirmed that the airport remains operational, and all flights will continue as per their schedules.
This incident comes after an American Airlines flight bound for Phoenix, Arizona, was forced to abort takeoff due to a tire burst on Wednesday. Luckily, all passengers and crew onboard American Airlines Flight 590 were unharmed.
