A Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300ER encountered a series of mishaps on Saturday, forcing an emergency landing and subsequent grounding at Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport.
Saturday 17 Aug 2024, the aircraft (registration HB-JNI) en route from Tokyo to Zurich, was diverted to Kazakhstan due to a medical emergency on board. While the landing was executed successfully, subsequent events unfolded.
During a turn on the taxiway, the plane’s nose wheel became lodged in the soft ground. This incident triggered an emergency response and forced the airport to close for two hours. Rescue teams were deployed to the scene to assist the stranded aircraft.
Swiss International Air Lines confirmed the incident, stating that the crew had been forced to turn the aircraft on the runway due to the closure of the taxiway. The airline is now conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft to assess any potential damage.
While all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the plane becoming stuck.
