Boeing 777 Drags Tail Hundreds of Feet Along Runaway Before Takeoff

A Boeing 777 carrying hundreds of passengers was filmed dragging its tail down the runway during takeoff at Milan Malpensa Airport, in Italy.

The flight, bound for Sao Paulo, Brazil, experienced an apparent malfunction midway through its takeoff on Tuesday, causing the tail to drop and scrape along the runway, creating a trail of smoke and sparks.

During the takeoff phase, as the pilots brought the engines to maximum thrust, the rear belly of the plane touched the runway for several seconds.

Video footage captured this dramatic moment, showing plumes of gray smoke billowing behind the aircraft.

Despite the incident, the pilots managed to get the plane off the ground. Once at altitude, the pilots requested permission from the control tower to return to the airport for an inspection.

Witnesses described the terrifying scene of sparks flying from the back of the plane as the incident unfolded.

The pilots skillfully lifted off and safely landed the aircraft about 70 minutes later. Fortunately, none of the passengers or crew members were injured during the ordeal.

"The pilots were good, from what we can see, at not panicking and maintaining control of the aircraft until it took flight," an aviation expert told Corriere della Sera.

Aviation experts have commended the pilots for their composure and skill in handling the situation, noting, "If they had stopped the maneuver, it would have been a massacre."

After landing, the LATAM Airlines jet taxied to the gate without further incident. Aviation data indicated that the aircraft was undergoing repairs at MXP, with no subsequent scheduled flights after the incident on July 9. The aircraft suffered extensive damage and remains grounded.

Investigators from Italy's National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) are examining the cause of the malfunction to prevent future occurrences.

"We have informed the investigative authorities of Brazil and the United States, the countries of operation and construction of the aircraft, about the opening of the investigation, which, in accordance with international regulations, are entitled to appoint their own representatives for the investigation," the agency said in a statement.

In 2024, multiple reports emerged of Boeing aircraft experiencing issues, including bursting tires, wheels detaching mid-flight, and emergency doors coming off, exacerbating the intense scrutiny already placed on the aerospace giant regarding the safety of its planes.

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