A Boeing 757-200 cargo aircraft operated by DHL has split in two upon making an emergency landing in Costa Rica.
DHL, which is owned by Deutsche Post AG, said that “one crew member is undergoing medical checks as a precaution.”
The aircraft, which was heading to Guatemala, suffered a failure of its hydraulic system, causing the pilot to request an emergency landing back at the airport on the outskirts of San Jose shortly after take-off, according to Reuters.
Juan Santamaria international airport was temporarily closed following the incident, but has since reopened.
Some 8,500 passengers and 57 commercial and cargo flights were affected by the closure, Aeris said.
The DHL plane that made an emergency landing before skidding off the runway and splitting
MAYELA LOPEZ
The DHL plane that made an emergency landing before skidding off the runway and splitting
MAYELA LOPEZ
Video footage shows the large yellow jet, split in half on the edge of the runway, being doused by a firefighter.
Héctor Chaves, director of he Costa Rica Fire Department, said that after landing the aircraft skidded, turned 180 degrees and cracked in two.
Describing the emergency response, Mr Chaves said: “Units mobilised to remove the pilot and co-pilot.
“Then they applied foam to prevent a spill and now they are working on an earthen dike to avoid any fuel from reaching the drainage system.”
DHL said they are working with airport officials to have plane removed from the runway to help normal operations resume.
DHL said: “DHL’s incident response team has been activated and an investigation will be conducted with the relevant authorities to determine what happened.”
