A Cargolux 747 was set to take off from Prestwick airport. However, the engine blasted off the asphalt from the runway. This is a serious issue as the incident occurred before the world leaders were expected to arrive in Scotland for a summit.
The Cargolux 747 blew up parts of the runway as it was about to take off. Debris was left behind, which could have been dangerous. This caused the airport to be closed for some time. The airport staff then removed the debris.
The involved Boeing 747was bound to the United States. One of the planespotters said, “As it started powering up its engines, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, a large part of debris being blown away. At first, I thought the plane’s engine had blown up; then, I realized the runway was disintegrating. I zoomed out and started to take some pictures.”
At Prestwick airport, a heavy Cargolux jet “blew up” the runway as it prepared to take off earlier this month, leaving a trail of potentially disastrous debris. Pieces of asphalt were ripped off and blown into the air. https://t.co/JiWtNFEHw1 pic.twitter.com/ciaELaEvy2
— AirportWatch (@AirportWatch) July 19, 2021
Prestwick airport believes that the airport has been well-investigated. There aren’t any irregularities, and the airport meets all safety standards. However, the management report suggests that there was some remedial work to be done. This work should have been completed before the world leaders arrive for the summit.
Former RAF pilot David Learmouth, now an aviation journalist, said: “Prestwick has a very long main runway – longer than the one at Glasgow Airport – and it has a standby runway. It has an extraordinary microclimate which means it is never closed by fog when all around it is shut down. Its rural location makes it easy to protect if it is to be the arrival and departure point for world leaders – as soon will be for COP26.”
Cargolux said that its pilots didn’t notice the incident.