US-Bangla flight makes emergency landing in Chattogram as gear fails

A US-Bangla flight carrying 171 people from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar has been forced to make an emergency landing at the Chattogram airport after the plane’s landing gear failed.

The Boeing 737 aircraft’s landing gear did not work, forcing it to land at the Chattogram airport, Wing Commander Sarwar-e-Jahan, manager of Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, told bdnews24.com.

However, it safely touched down in Chittagong despite faults with the landing gear. “All the passengers are safe," said Sarwar-e-Jahan.

When an aircraft is unable to touch down with its landing gear fully extended it usually performs a gear-up or “belly” landing.

The US-Bangla flight BS141 that took off from Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11am on Wednesday was scheduled to land in Cox's Bazar at 12pm. 

The pilot circled in mid-air for some time and decided not to land as the nose wheel of the plane was stuck. 

The air-plane later flew to the Chattogram airport where the authority arranged for its emergency landing.

The flight carried 164 passengers, including 11 children, and seven crew members, said Kamrul Islam, spokesman for US-Bangla Airlines.

"All of them are safe and sound. We're trying to send them to Cox's Bazar in an alternative way."

The emergency landing of the aircraft has not caused any damage to the runway, said Airport Manager Sarwar-E-Jahan.

"There was no disruption in the airport activities as there was no flight scheduled to take off or land until 4pm. We are working to remove the plane from the runway before that time.”