A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 737-800 carrying 176 passengers and six crew members skidded off the runway at Torp Sandefjord Airport after an emergency landing late Saturday. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Incident Details
The Amsterdam-bound flight encountered a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff from Oslo Airport. Pilots promptly decided to divert to Sandefjord Airport, located approximately 110 kilometers south of Oslo.
The aircraft landed safely but veered off the runway into soft grass near a taxiway. Videos shared on social media show passengers calmly evacuating the plane using mobile stairs as emergency responders arrived on the scene.
KLM’s Statement
KLM confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that a loud noise was heard during takeoff, which prompted the emergency landing. Upon landing, the pilots experienced difficulty controlling the aircraft, leading to it skidding off the runway.
The airline reassured the public that all passengers and crew members were unharmed and had been taken care of following the incident. KLM also confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the hydraulic failure and subsequent runway excursion.
Passenger Evacuation
According to Dutch media reports, the flight departed Oslo at 6:55 pm local time and landed at Sandefjord Airport at 7:14 pm. After landing, passengers were transported to the terminal by bus. By 9:00 pm, everyone had safely exited the aircraft.
Context
This incident came just hours before a tragic crash involving a Jeju Air-operated Boeing 737-800 in South Korea. That flight, carrying 181 passengers, crashed during landing, leaving only two survivors.
While the KLM incident ended without casualties, it highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the challenges posed by mechanical failures in aviation.
Sources By Agencies
