Passengers on an Airbus disembarked to find they flew with a hole in the plane

By Samantha Allen

Published: July 8, 2022 | 8:41 AM GMT

When an Emirates Airbus came down on the tarmac, it startled both passengers and airline employees since it was carrying people, baggage, and a major mystery.

Late on a Saturday night, the aircraft had just finished a 14-hour intercontinental voyage when passengers and ground workers began to disembark and discovered a massive hole in the side of the aircraft.

Not long after the jet took off from Dubai, “concerned” airline workers reported hearing a loud noise and informing Brisbane air traffic control that the plane could have blown a tyre.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1543188254983426049

The hole (pictured) was reportedly likely caused by a tyre rupturing as a result of a 'technical fault' Actress Lisa Kay (pictured) was on the intercontinental flight and said she remembered the aircraft staff looking concerned

Lisa Kay, an English actress who was traveling, recalled hearing a disturbance and saw the flight attendants looking worried at one another.

The experience, according to an English professor who was also on the trip, was “terrifying.”

Was on this flight, too. was at first utterly alarming, and the cabin crew quickly made contact with the pilot because they suspected something severe may have happened. They quickly continued as usual after that.

Passengers on the flight took to Twitter to share how they heard a noise toward the beginning of the 14 hour flight

‘Their calm demeanour was reassuring – they knew it was not catastrophic,’ said Andrew Morris of UK’s Loughborough University.

The punctured plane was stranded on the ground in Brisbane – unable to make its return flight – as staff made repairs to the plane.

The airline confirmed the accident saying it was a ‘technical fault’.

‘One of the aircraft’s 22 tyres ruptured during cruise, causing damage to a small portion of the aerodynamic fairing, which is an outer panel or the skin of the aircraft,’ they said.

‘At no point did it have any impact on the fuselage, frame or structure of the aircraft.

‘The fairing has been completely replaced, checked and cleared by engineers, Airbus and all relevant authorities,’ Emirates added.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.