NEW YORK, 22 July 2013. Emergency responders at New York's LaGuardia Airport evacuated passengers and crew on Southwest Airlines Flight 345 after the Boeing 737-700 commercial passenger jet’s nose gear reportedly collapsed upon landing.
Eyewitness reports indicate the aircraft's nose gear collapsed upon landing. The flight, from Nashville, Tenn., to LaQuardia Airport, N.Y., is said to have landed without the benefit of its front wheel, causing the airliner to tip onto its nose upon arrival. Others at the scene are questioning whether the front wheel was missing entirely from beneath the Boeing 737’s nose.
One hundred fifty people were on board, including passengers and crew. All Customers have been deplaned and transferred to the terminal.
Initial reports indicate local responders are caring for five passengers and three flight attendants who have reported injuries.
Southwest Airlines confirms that company officials are cooperating with local authorities, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified.
An NTSB official took to Twitter, noting: “An NTSB investigator will be on scene at LaGuardia this evening to gather more info & assess damage to the Southwest 737” and “Investigators are gathering info on this evening's Southwest flight 345 incident while landing at LaGuardia.”
The crash-landing is also drawing controversy based on early images of passengers carrying personal belongings during the emergency evacuation. Some passengers also collected their belongings before evacuating Asiana Airlines Flight 214, which became engulfed in flames.
