A Pilatus PC-12 (registration N886WF) aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on Wednesday after a tow bar was inadvertently left attached to its nose landing gear during takeoff. The aircraft safely diverted to Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR).
Shortly after takeoff, the crew noticed that the tow bar was still connected to the landing gear. The PC-12 safely landed on GRR’s runway, where emergency crews were on standby. However, after losing speed on the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Passengers and Crew Unharmed
Haley Abbas, a Public Information Officer for the airport, told WZZM ABC 13 that an emergency landing alert was received at 8:11 AM local time. There was one pilot and six passengers on board; none sustained injuries. Abbas expressed gratitude that everyone was safe.
FAA and Flight Details
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the tow bar, still attached during takeoff, posed a significant safety hazard, prompting the diversion to GRR. According to FlightAware data, the aircraft had departed from Paul C. Miller/Sparta Airport (8D4) and was en route to John C. Tune Airport (JWN). Once the issue was identified, an emergency landing plan was initiated for GRR.
Pilatus PC-12 makes emergency landing at Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport after the nose gear tow bar was found to be still attached to the aircraft.
The aircraft landed safely and came to a stop with the nose landing gear retracted.
Ford Airport’s emergency… pic.twitter.com/wt0C3TMCZy
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The aircraft is registered to Wynalda Aviation LLC, based in Belmont, Michigan. The FAA is conducting an investigation into the incident.
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