A potential disaster was averted by the skill of a JetBlue pilot who safely landed a commercial airliner with a landing gear malfunction at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) on Friday.
According to a statement from the airline, JetBlue flight 29 from Washington Dulles Airport (KIAD) to Nassau, Bahamas reported the malfunction prior to arrival.
Officials said that the aircraft’s nose gear failed to function properly, leaving the flight dependant on the rear landing gear.
The plane landed shortly after 4:30 pm, using the aircraft’s rear gear with the plane’s nose partially extended, according to JetBlue’s statement.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said in a statement: “The pilot in command made a decision to attempt a landing at LPIA, and after burning some fuel, executed a safe landing…with the use of both the left and right main gear only. The nose gear was not extended. All passengers and crew were determined to be uninjured.”
Response crews were on-site to meet the plane on the runway to ensure passengers’ safety.
Following the incident, the main runway at LPIA was temporarily closed to allow for the removal of the aircraft. Operations continued on another runway with minimal delays.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
“The public is informed that the Accident and Investigations Unit of the Flight Standards Inspectorate will immediately conduct an investigation into this incident, with a view to determining the circumstances which led to its occurrence,” CAD said.
The civil aviation body also lauded various stakeholders, including the pilot, “for a job well done.”
At the time of the incident, there were 93 passengers and four crew members on board, none of whom were injured, JetBlue said.