Earlier today, a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter taking off from Taranto airport in Italy suffered the loss of one of its main landing gear wheels, which fell to the ground after coming loose from its mounting.
The aircraft, registration N718BA and operated by Atlas Air, is a Boeing 747-4H6(LCF) carrying 787 Dreamliner airframe components from Taranto – home of one of the suppliers, Alenia Aeronautica – to Charleston, South Carolina.
Un Boeing 747 Dreamlifter operat de Atlas Air (N718BA) care a decolat marți dimineață (11OCT22) din Taranto (IT) spre Charleston (SUA) a pierdut o roată a trenului principal de aterizare în timpul decolării.
Avionul operează zborul #5Y4231 și transportă componente de Dreamliner. pic.twitter.com/R95UHkLD7V
— BoardingPass (@BoardingPassRO) October 11, 2022
The images show that, on ascent, a plume of black smoke precedes the separation of the wheel, which falls inside the airport perimeter.
The aircraft is currently flying to Charleston and is about to begin its descent.
This is a developing story.