It's Alive!: GOL’s Boeing 737 MAX returns to the skies after 114 days grounded following runway incident
After 114 days grounded, GOL’s Boeing 737 MAX involved in Galeão collision flies to Confins for repairs
After 114 days on the ground, GOL Linhas Aéreas’ Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration PS-GPP, has taken to the skies again following a serious runway incident at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport (GIG). The aircraft completed a non-passenger ferry flight to the airline’s maintenance facility in Confins (CNF).
On June 5, the aircraft departed from Rio de Janeiro bound for Belo Horizonte International Airport, where GOL operates its advanced maintenance center, GOL Aerotech. The flight was conducted at an altitude of 10,000 feet as a precautionary measure to avoid cabin pressurization. This decision, made by the airline’s engineering teams, was aimed at thoroughly evaluating potential damage to the pressurization system resulting from the incident.
The original incident occurred on February 11, 2025. During its takeoff roll on runway 10 at Galeão, the aircraft collided with a Chevrolet S10 pickup truck. The vehicle, operated by a third-party maintenance contractor, had been improperly positioned on the runway.
At the time, the pilots aborted the takeoff at a speed exceeding 270 km/h. The crew’s swift response ensured the aircraft stopped safely. Passengers were disembarked directly on the runway, with no injuries reported. The 737 MAX was then towed for a comprehensive damage assessment.
Brazil’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) continues to investigate the incident to determine its causes and assign responsibility. In the meantime, the PS-GPP will remain at GOL Aerotech—one of Latin America's leading MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities—for the necessary inspections and repairs before a return to commercial service is scheduled.
Comentarios
Para comentar, debés estar registrado
Por favor, iniciá sesión