A runway was closed at Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU), North Carolina, for more than two hours after a small aircraft experienced a landing gear failure during takeoff.
The incident took place at around 14:15 local time on September 8, 2024. The small aircraft was scheduled to take off from RDU Airport and was heading to Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). Two people were onboard the aircraft, according to RDU officials. No injuries were reported.
According to an ABC11 news report, which included footage of the aftermath of the incident, the plane’s propellors were badly bent when the landing gear failed. The footage also shows the aircraft on its underside in the middle of runway 5R-23L.
Emergency crews were quick to respond to the incident, and a tow truck was sent to remove the disabled plane from the runway.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft was a 45-year-old Beechcraft owned by Raleigh Flying Club in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The facility offers flight training for local pilots in the area.
Runway 5R-23L remained closed for more than two hours while the emergency crews removed the aircraft. The only runway that remained open was the longer one, 5L-23R, as reported by the RDU.
