Plane’s wheels ‘explode’ at Melbourne Airport, sparking emergency response

A flight leaving Melbourne Airport had to abort take-off at the last second on Sunday after two wheels reportedly exploded.

Etihad Airways flight EY461 to Abu Dhabi started to roll down the Tullamarine airport runway shortly before 7pm, but had to slam on the brakes. Fire trucks soon responded and doused the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s landing gear, a video posted on social media shows.

In a statement, Melbourne Airport said the flight “rejected take-off” and the Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service deployed firefighting foam as a precaution.

“There are 289 passengers on board and no reports of injuries,” the statement said.

“Due to damage to the aircraft’s tyres, we are unable to tow it off the runway. We will disembark passengers and bus them to the terminal. Repairs will be done on the aircraft on location.”

A passenger on the plane reported two tyres had burst. Etihad Airways has been contacted for comment.

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