From The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Feb 09
Virgin Blue jet shreds tyre on take-off
February 23, 2009 - 8:34AM
A Virgin Blue flight bound for Sydney has returned to Melbourne Airport safely after a tyre shredded on take-off.
Emergency services had been placed on high alert amid fears the Embraer aircraft, with 79 passengers onboard, had damaged its undercarriage.
Witnesses at the airport said at least 10 fire trucks were on standby when flight DJ807 landed safely at 7.57am.
"Authorities have responded. Emergency services are on site, however that is normal in this situation," said Emma Stenhouse, a spokeswoman for the airport.
She said the left main rear tyre had shredded on take-off.
"Everyone is safe and well ... it went and did a loop, dumped some fuel and landed safely. Emergency services were activated and now have all been stood down."
Link here: Virgin Blue jet shreds tyre on take-off
Now maybe a DJ pilot could clarify a couple of things for me:
(a) is the jungle-jet capable of dumping fuel (perhaps it is, I'm not sure; that's a serious question);
(b) is the jungle-jet capable of performing aerobatics???!!! (perhaps it is, I'm not sure!!!
)
Fair dinkum - they really ought to let pilots talk to the press; at least the facts might get reported correctly then!