(UTV | AUSTRALIA) – In a shocking incident, an Australia-bound Emirates flight flew for nearly 14 hours with a large hole in its side. Those on board the Airbus A380 from Dubai to the Australian city became aware of the damage after they exited the plane on July 1.
According to the airline, a tire was ruptured because of a “technical fault” during the journey, causing a puncture.
It was reported that the crew advised air traffic controllers at Brisbane Airport of the situation ahead of time and requested that the plane be met by emergency services on landing.
The Emirates, in a statement, said that the rupture did not impact “the fuselage, frame or structure of the aircraft.”
“Our flight EK430 flying from Dubai to Brisbane on July 1 experienced a technical fault,” read the statement, adding, “One of the aircraft’s 22 tires ruptured during cruise, causing damage to a small portion of the aerodynamic fairing, which is an outer panel or the skin of the aircraft.”
The aircraft had landed safely in Australia, and passengers had disembarked as scheduled. Damage to the exterior of the wide-body airliner has since been repaired, the airline confirmed.
“The safety of our passengers and crew has always been our top priority,” the statement read.