Emirates (airline) - Accidents and Incidents

Accidents and Incidents

• On 9 April 2004, an Emirates Airbus A340-300 operating a flight from Johannesburg to Dubai sustained serious damage during takeoff when it failed to become airborne before the end of the runway, striking 25 approach lights, causing four tyres to burst which in turn threw debris into various parts of the aircraft, ultimately damaging the flap drive mechanism. This rendered the flaps immoveable in the takeoff position. The aircraft returned for an emergency landing during which the normal braking system failed as a result of the damage. The aircraft was brought to a stop only 250 metres from the end of the 3,400 metre runway using reverse thrust and the alternate braking system. In their report, South African investigators found that the Captain had used an erroneous take-off technique, and criticised Emirates training and rostering practices.
• On 20 March 2009, Emirates Flight 407, an Airbus A340-500 flying from Melbourne to Dubai failed to take off properly at Melbourne Airport, hitting several structures at the end of the runway before eventually climbing enough to return to the airport for a safe landing. In spite of the fact that no fatalities or injuries resulted from this accident, it was severe enough to be classified as an accident by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
• On 23 November 2012, Emirates passenger on board flight EK021 from Dubai to Manchester died of an heart attack. The flight had made an emergency landing at Warsaw in a bid to rescue the female passenger.