AJet Flight from Ankara to Hakkari Skids Off Runway: What Happened?

On September 20, 2024, an AJet flight from Ankara to Hakkari experienced a runway incident during its landing at Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari. The event was alarming, but airport authorities safely evacuated all passengers and crew, with no casualties reported. Here’s a detailed account of the incident, the passengers, and the crew aboard the aircraft.

Details of the Aircraft and Flight

The aircraft, part of AJet’s fleet, was operating flight VF4316, a scheduled service between Ankara Esenboğa Airport and Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport. AJet, a Turkish low-cost carrier and a rebrand of AnadoluJet, recently expanded its operations, offering domestic and international flights across Turkey and beyond. The airline operates a mixed fleet of Airbus A320s, A321s, and Boeing 737s ​(AeroTime). The flight left Ankara at 11:20 AM and was scheduled to land in Hakkari at 1:15 PM​(Kurdistan 24).

Passengers and Crew on Board

At the time of the incident, the aircraft was full, with several notable passengers onboard, including Esendere Town Mayor Dırbaz Büyüksu and Şemdinli Mayor Fahri Şakar​ (euronews; Haberler). Thankfully, the passengers and crew members reported no injuries despite the unsettling experience (Kurdistan 24; Haberler). The swift action taken by the flight crew and ground services ensured the safety of everyone onboard.

The Incident: A Second Landing Attempt

As the aircraft approached Yüksekova, it encountered heavy rainfall, which significantly impacted visibility and runway conditions. The flight crew aborted their first landing attempt due to these poor weather conditions and circled the airport before making a second attempt. Upon landing, the plane skidded off the rain-soaked runway and became stuck in the surrounding mud​ (Kurdistan 24)​. The incident occurred during taxiing after the plane touched down, with the front wheel sinking into the muddy terrain, leading to a temporary halt​ (Haberler). Airport authorities swiftly evacuated all 180 passengers, ensuring their safety despite the challenging conditions​ (euronews).

AJet’s Response and Ongoing Investigation

AJet’s Press Counselor, Mehmet Yeşilkaya issued a statement shortly after the incident. He confirmed that the front landing gear became stuck in the mud due to the heavy rain. He reassured the public that the passengers’ health was good, and the evacuation had proceeded without any complications​ (Haberler).

Conclusion

This incident underscores the importance of swift coordination between flight crew and airport authorities during unexpected events. Fortunately, no one was injured in the runway mishap. However, as the investigation into the accident continues, more detailed and accurate information is expected to emerge in the coming days. Given the evolving nature of the incident, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest official reports for a full understanding of the causes and consequences of this event​ (Kurdistan 24; Haberler).