Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET873 Forced to Abort Landing at RGM International Airport

On December 18, 2023, an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET873 was compelled to abandon its landing at RGM International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, after a RwandAir plane experienced a tire burst during takeoff and was left parked on the runway. The incident caused the Airbus A350 to redirect its course to Lusaka, while other airlines had to divert their flights to Bulawayo.

The news broke on social media when Zimbabwean news outlet ZimLive tweeted about the incident, accompanied by a photograph of the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft in mid-flight. The tweet highlighted the hashtag #BREAKING, indicating the urgency and significance of the event.

The incident occurred during a crucial phase of the flight, as the Ethiopian Airlines plane was preparing to touch down at RGM International Airport. However, due to the presence of the stranded RwandAir plane on the runway, the pilots had no choice but to abort the landing to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew.

Although tire bursts during takeoff are relatively rare, they can pose significant risks to the aircraft’s stability and control. In this case, the RwandAir plane had suffered a tire burst, which led to its immobilization on the runway. As a result, the Ethiopian Airlines flight had to alter its destination and fly to Lusaka instead. Other airlines that were scheduled to land at Harare were also forced to divert their flights to Bulawayo.

The diversion of flights can cause inconvenience to passengers, but airline safety regulations prioritize the well-being and security of travelers above all else. The decision to abort the landing and redirect the flight was necessary to prevent any potential accidents or mishaps that could have occurred as a result of the blocked runway.

Ethiopian Airlines is known for its commitment to passenger safety and its adherence to international aviation standards. The airline has a strong track record of incident-free flights and is often recognized for its exceptional safety protocols.

As news of the incident spread, aviation authorities in Zimbabwe and Rwanda initiated investigations to determine the cause of the tire burst and the subsequent parking of the RwandAir plane on the runway. Such investigations are crucial for identifying any underlying issues that may have contributed to the incident and for implementing corrective measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Passengers who were scheduled to land at RGM International Airport were inconvenienced by the diversion of their flights. However, the airline industry is no stranger to unforeseen circumstances, and airlines are well-prepared to handle such situations efficiently. Affected passengers were likely provided with alternative travel arrangements and appropriate compensation for the inconvenience caused.

As the investigation unfolds, both Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir are expected to cooperate fully with the authorities and provide all necessary information to facilitate a thorough examination of the incident.

In conclusion, Ethiopian Airlines flight ET873 had to abort its landing at RGM International Airport due to a RwandAir plane parked on the runway after experiencing a tire burst during takeoff. The incident resulted in the Ethiopian Airlines flight redirecting to Lusaka, while other airlines were forced to divert their flights to Bulawayo. Aviation authorities have initiated investigations to determine the cause of the incident, and passenger safety remains a top priority for all airlines involved.

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#BREAKING Ethiopian Airlines flight ET873 abandons landing at RGM International Airport in Harare after a RwandAir plane parked on the runway after bursting a tyre during takeoff. The Airbus A350 appears to be now flying to Lusaka, other airlines diverting to Bulawayo pic.twitter.com/Tae1WU0kw2

— ZimLive (@zimlive) December 18, 2023

Source

@zimlive said #BREAKING Ethiopian Airlines flight ET873 abandons landing at RGM International Airport in Harare after a RwandAir plane parked on the runway after bursting a tyre during takeoff. The Airbus A350 appears to be now flying to Lusaka, other airlines diverting to Bulawayo

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