A cargo plane belonging to the international shipping company "DHL" nearly caused a real disaster at Beirut Airport when it landed sharply on the evening of the 18th. The plane was proceeding normally until just minutes before landing while arriving from Bahrain, piloted by a German captain. Upon landing, it touched down violently and struck the ground, resulting in damage across various areas of its structure, rendering it unfit for flight. The crew sustained minor bruises.
Fadi Hassan, the Director General of Civil Aviation and President of Rafic Hariri International Airport, confirmed in a statement to "Warda" that on September 18, a DHL plane made a hard landing at Rafic Hariri International Airport, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft. Hassan noted that the pilot managed to keep the plane on the runway and halted it in the designated area near the cargo hangar. After inspecting the plane and identifying the damages, a committee was formed by a decision signed by the Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamiyeh, chaired by Captain Mohammed Aziz, an accredited expert with the International Civil Aviation Organization. The committee includes representatives from DHL and Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft.
Hassan further indicated that the airport administration has requested all relevant authorities to facilitate the work of the investigation committee to determine the facts of what occurred, whether it was pilot error or a technical issue with the aircraft. He emphasized that the process is proceeding according to internationally accepted standards.
The aircraft, a Boeing 767, was originally designed for passenger transport but was converted to a cargo plane owned by DHL, operating between Beirut and Bahrain. Hassan declined to provide further details to "Warda" until the investigation is completed, assuring that information would be announced once finalized and reaffirming that procedures at Beirut Airport adhere to global standards in all aspects, including air traffic control and runway operations.
