Panic on the Tarmac: Garuda Plane Loses Front Tire During Tanjungpinang Landing, All Passengers Safe

Tanjungpinang, Xweb.biz.id – What began as a routine domestic flight turned tense in a matter of seconds when a Garuda Indonesia aircraft lost its front landing gear tire during landing at Raja Haji Fisabilillah (RHF) Airport in Tanjungpinang, on Wednesday, April 16.

Flight GA 288, which departed from Jakarta carrying 161 passengers, touched down as scheduled — but with an unexpected jolt. The front tire dislodged upon contact with the runway, causing a violent shudder throughout the aircraft.

“There was a loud thump and a sudden brake. It felt different from a normal landing,” said Herman, one of the passengers on board. “People looked around nervously. Then the pilot asked us to remain calm as they inspected the plane.”

A Calm but Critical Response

Despite the technical malfunction, the pilot managed to bring the plane to a full stop safely, avoiding what could have been a much more serious situation. The aircraft, however, could not move on its own power and required towing assistance to be evacuated from the runway.

Zaini Ahmad, the acting Executive General Manager of RHF Airport, confirmed the successful removal of the aircraft from the runway.

“All passengers are safe and have disembarked without injury. We are still investigating the exact cause of the wheel detachment,” he said.

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Flight Delays and Investigations

The aftermath of the incident led to the indefinite delay of Garuda’s return flight to Jakarta, originally scheduled for 9:20 AM WIB. Garuda Indonesia’s local General Manager, Muhammad Ikhsan, said that the airline is awaiting replacement parts from Batam before repairs can begin.

He also assured that a full internal investigation is underway, and the results will be shared with aviation authorities to ensure safety measures are upheld.

No Injuries, but Questions Remain

While passengers were unharmed, the scare raises important questions about aircraft maintenance and pre-flight inspections. For now, passengers and officials alike are grateful that what could have ended in disaster was handled with professionalism and calm.

As Garuda Indonesia works to repair the aircraft and resume service, many are commending the crew for their swift response in keeping everyone safe under pressure.

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