Alaska Airlines flight AS1288 faced a significant challenge when it landed at Santa Ana-John Wayne International Airport, California, USA, during Tropical Storm Hilary. The Boeing 737-800, with registry N516AS, experienced a heavy landing on runway 20R, resulting in substantial damage.
The left main gear of the aircraft collapsed, and photos shared by the Orange County Fire Authority on social media show that the MLG mount broke through the upper wing skin. Despite the extreme hard landing and the alarming appearance of the damage, all passengers and crew members were safe.
Quick Response from Emergency Teams
The passengers disembarked the aircraft under the supervision of emergency responders. The quick and efficient response ensured that everyone was safely off-boarded on the airfield using airstairs. John Wayne Airport released a statement regarding the incident, saying, “Last night, an Alaskan Airlines plane experienced an issue upon arrival. All passengers were safely off-boarded on the airfield using airstairs. No injuries were reported.”
The Flight’s Journey
The flight took off from Seattle and was headed to Santa Anna, California. The weather conditions were far from ideal, with Tropical Storm Hilary creating a challenging environment for both the pilots and the aircraft. The Boeing 737-800 was caught in the storm, leading to a hard landing and subsequent damage.
The incident with Alaska Airlines AS1288 serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather like storms and the potential challenges it can pose to air travel. The handling of the situation by the flight crew and emergency responders ensured the safety of all on board.
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