A tense situation unfolded on Friday at Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla, Colombia, when a Boeing 727 operated by Aerosucre was forced to make an emergency landing.
The cargo plane’s landing gear collapsed on touchdown, causing sparks to fly as the aircraft tilted to one side and scraped along the runway.
Crew Walk Away Unharmed
Despite the dramatic visuals, airport authorities confirmed that no crew members were injured.
Footage from the scene shows the left wing scraping the tarmac, but the aircraft ultimately came to a safe stop.
Emergency and fire crews responded immediately, working quickly to assess the damage and secure the area.
Airport Temporarily Closed for Safety Checks
The Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) temporarily closed the airport to inspect the runway and infrastructure, including a damaged runway light.
“The airport remains closed while work is carried out to review possible damage,” the agency stated.
Mechanical Issues Likely Behind the Incident
Investigators suggested that the landing gear may have suffered a structural or mechanical failure.
Aviation experts emphasized that incidents like this are not purely bad luck, but often a consequence of flying older aircraft.
The Boeing 727-227 involved is a converted passenger jet from the 1970s, now used for cargo operations.
Aerosucre and Its Aging Fleet
Aerosucre, based in Bogotá, Colombia, continues to operate several aging Boeing 727s, which are now rare in active service.
Most of these jets were converted decades ago from passenger service to freighters.
While still functional, experts warn that older aircraft can be more prone to mechanical issues.
Another Close Call Days Later
The weekend saw another scare involving an Aerosucre Boeing 727.
Pilots departing El Dorado International Airport reported a critical failure in their electrical and communication systems.
“Negative, we are without a transponder,” one pilot radioed.
Losing a transponder renders a plane nearly invisible to Air Traffic Control, increasing the risk of collisions.
Emergency Procedures Save the Day
The crew declared an emergency and safely returned to El Dorado, landing on the north runway without incident.
Aerocivil confirmed the technical contingency, praising the crew’s swift handling of the situation.
Recent History of Boeing Cargo Crashes
These incidents come in the wake of the devastating UPS Boeing MD-11 cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, last month.
That accident, captured on nearby cameras, showed the left engine detach during takeoff, followed by a massive fireball that tragically killed all three crew members and 11 people on the ground.
Understanding the Risks
The Kentucky crash highlights the dangers associated with aging cargo aircraft.
NTSB reports revealed that the detached engine ignited a fire on the wing, and despite a brief climb, the plane never rose more than 30 feet before crashing.
Experts warn that these events underscore the importance of rigorous maintenance and careful monitoring of older jets.
Aviation Safety Under the Spotlight
While Friday’s incident in Colombia ended without injuries, it serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in operating older cargo aircraft.
Authorities and experts are now reviewing maintenance protocols and aircraft age limits to prevent future emergencies.
What Comes Next
Investigations are ongoing for both the Aerosucre 727 and the UPS crash.
Aviation authorities are closely monitoring the fleet, while airlines operating older jets face renewed pressure to ensure safety standards are met.
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