Amidst courtroom debates regarding jet quality, Boeing finds itself once again in the midst of aviation turmoil, this time in Johannesburg, South Africa. A Safair flight preparing for takeoff from Johannesburg Airport encountered a harrowing incident when it lost its wheels, resulting in visible fumes.Ground personnel promptly detected the issue and alerted the pilots, prompting the aircraft to return and safely land. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, although the incident led to subsequent flight delays.🇿🇦🇺🇸 A Boeing 737-800 lost a wheel while taking off from Johannesburg Airport (South Africa), Aviation24 reports.Ground personnel identified the damage and informed the pilots. The plane returned and landed safely.No one was injured during the emergency, but there were flight… pic.twitter.com/5JNIyE6zGA— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) April 23, 2024Reactions to the event have been swift, with many urging a thorough review of maintenance protocols and accountability measures for those involved. Analysts caution that such incidents, if not addressed promptly, could have catastrophic consequences, risking the lives of many passengers.This event evokes a sense of déjà vu for observers, reminiscent of a similar occurrence in March 2024 involving a United Airlines flight in San Francisco, where a wheel detachment during takeoff was captured on video. ✈️United flight UA35 diverted to Los Angeles today after losing a wheel on takeoff 🚨 Via @FlightEmergencyView #UA35s data athttps://t.co/F63EfWkMAN pic.twitter.com/0bSSQE6UKu— RadarBox (@RadarBoxCom) March 7, 2024Earlier in the year, Boeing faced a major setback when an Alaska Airlines flight experienced a door malfunction mid-flight, prompting the temporary grounding of similar aircraft models.These incidents compound the mounting pressure on Boeing, which has faced criticism over the quality of its aircraft. The infamous Boeing 737 MAX, entangled in controversies following the Malaysian Airline and Ethiopian Airline disasters, remains in service. The company now faces increased scrutiny not only from shareholders but also from the public and regulatory authorities, highlighting broader concerns about aviation safety.
