ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES B737 LANDING INCIDENT OF FLIGHT ET 338 CLOSES ENTEBBE RUNWAY
(Posted 03rd January 2019)
An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing B737-800 last night on landing overshot the main runway of Entebbe International Airport, causing the immediate cancellation of all other landings and take offs and prompting a series of flight diversions and cancellations.
Registered as ET-ATV, MSN 30705, did the aircraft first enter service in 2001, some 18 years ago.
The aircraft, with 139 people on board, had to be deboarded on site and passengers and crew were bussed to the terminal. None of those onboard suffered any injuries. Runway 17 is reportedly some 12.000 feet long, equivalent to just under 3.660 metres.
An air accident investigation is now underway in order to determine what caused the potentially fatal situation.
Airlines like RwandAir and Kenya Airways have asked passengers booked on flights into and out of Entebbe today to consult the airline as to when flight operations can commence again, while the aircraft is being pulled back on the tarmac and the runway can be opened again.
Entebbe’s second runway is too short for larger jet aircraft though turboprop aircraft can land and take off from there
