ABC news reports all cleared up and moved at 18:30 Brisbane time.
Wirraway
Tue "Courier Mail"
Passengers delayed by plane mishap
25 jan 05
HUNDREDS of passengers were delayed after a cargo plane mishap closed the main runway at Brisbane domestic airport today.
The Boeing 727, on a flight from Cairns, ran off the main runway shortly after 4pm (AEST), said Brisbane Aircraft Corporation (BAC) spokesman Jim Carden.
The plane with a crew of three on board, was operated by HeavyLift Cargo Airlines and was empty when it landed.
It was believed the aircraft had been due to take a load of cargo to the Solomon Islands tomorrow.
"We understand, but it is not confirmed, they had a problem with the front nose wheel at relatively low speed, which caused them to go off to the side of the runway," Mr Carden said.
Planes smaller than a Boeing 737 were being allowed to land on the shorter cross-runway but larger aircraft were being diverted to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast or to Sydney.
Several hundred passengers waited at the airport as the plane was manoeuvred from the runway and taxied to another area early this evening.
The backlog of passengers was expected to be cleared tonight.
Executives of HeavyLift were being sought for comment.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was investigating.
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Photo by
Simon Coates
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