I can't see this staying classified as an "incident" (per Annex 13) for long ...
Originally Posted by
pattern_is_full
Seems like the outboard would act as a pogo wheel to hold the inner engine off the ground - but I guess wing flex, or gear flex, or extreme damage to the outboard, or a semi-excursion such that the #2 hit an edge light, each could explain it.
The 747's geometry is such that a combination of wing flex (particularly if an outer engine is already in contact with the ground), and/or wing gear oleo compression, doesn't leave much clearance between the runway and the inner on the same side at best: