There was a temporary disruption of services on the runway at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after a Rwandair plane burst its tyre during take off.
The incident at RGM airport caused an Ethiopian Airlines aeroplane, specifically an Airbus A359 on flight ET783, to divert to Lusaka, Zambia after facing difficulties while trying to land. After circling Mashonaland East for some time, the aeroplane decided to divert to Lusaka, Zambia.
In a statement, the Airports Company of Zimbabwe said no injuries were recorded.
“Rwandair experienced a tyre burst during takeoff. As a result, there is a temporary disruption of service on the runway. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. No injuries were recorded,” the statement reads.
After some time, they finally managed to replace the tyre and cleared the runway.
The aircraft is now clearing the runway after replacing the tire. pic.twitter.com/MNCrhnA0JS
— Airports Company Of Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 (@Airports_Zim) December 18, 2023
Here are some of the pictures taken after the RwandaAir plane experienced a tyre burst;
The news about the RwandAir tyre bust has left many people shocked. However, many people are relieved that the incident occurred during takeoff rather than landing. Netizens opined that had the incident happened when the plane was landing, the incident was going to be more disastrous.
Additionally, the incident sparked inquiries regarding the reason behind Zimbabwe’s primary airport having just one runway.
@Nswana Ngungu;
Good thing it happened on take off and the plane was able to be stopped because landing it with a damaged tire would have yielded a disastrous outcome🙌 👏👏👏
@Laughter Mwale;
Ezoic
Thank God no life was lost 🙏
@KMutisi;
It means you need a second runway….. are there any plans for that? If not, then you should have plans for a second runway….
Ezoic
@Cecilia Buleti;
Praise God everyone is safe 🙏
@Victor Skyways;
Ezoic
I thought aircraft tyres don’t burst because they’re made airless inside like wheelbarrows…🤔 Thank God it was during taking off, if it was landing kaya.
