Wizz Air A321XLR Grounded in Prague After Hard Landing Incident
Here’s the story: Wizz Air UK’s very first Airbus A321XLR has been stuck in Prague ever since a rough landing in September. The incident happened on September 11, during a scheduled flight from London Gatwick to Prague. The aircraft was on a standard ILS approach to Runway 24, and according to the Czech Air Accident Investigation Institute, weather conditions were normal with good visibility, although winds were variable at around 10 knots.
What really went wrong happened in the final moments of the approach. As the plane descended from roughly 75 feet to 30 feet above the runway, its rate of descent suddenly jumped by 60 percent, from 480 feet per minute to 768 feet per minute. When it touched down, the jet’s nose pitched up to six degrees, and it hit the runway with a force measuring 2.54 G. The aircraft then bounced slightly, and when the spoilers deployed, the tail scraped the runway before the plane finally stabilized and rolled to a stop.
Also Read:- Nigeria Faces Gabon in High-Stakes World Cup Play-Off Thriller
- John Higgins Set to Shine in Star-Studded Snooker Return
Interestingly, the flight was being flown by the first officer, who had just 450 hours on the A320 family and was flying this A321XLR for only the third time. Meanwhile, the captain was commanding this long-range version of the aircraft for the very first time. Despite the severity of the landing, all passengers and crew were unharmed. However, post-flight inspection revealed structural damage underneath the tail, around frames 64–65.
This aircraft, registered G-XLRA, had only joined the Wizz Air UK fleet in May, just four months before this event. As the airline’s first A321XLR, it was intended to expand long-haul operations from the UK. But now, its early operational life has been abruptly paused. Repairs have not yet started, and it remains parked at Prague Airport with no confirmed date for its return to service.
Because the XLR variant has extended range and additional systems compared to the standard A321, maintenance and parts replacement are more complicated, which could delay the aircraft’s re-entry into service. For Wizz Air, this incident represents a major setback, especially as it continues to grow its long-range fleet and plan its network expansion from the UK.
So, while the plane is physically grounded in Prague, the story is also a reminder of the challenges airlines face when introducing new aircraft types, especially ones with advanced long-range capabilities. The good news is that no one was hurt, but the grounded aircraft remains a significant operational hurdle for Wizz Air UK.
Read More:
0 Comments