A Cargolux 747 was scheduled to depart from Prestwick Airport. The engine, on the other hand, blasted the asphalt off the runway. This is a major matter because the event occurred before international leaders were scheduled to come in Scotland for a summit.
The Cargolux 747 was set to take off when it blew up chunks of the runway. Debris was left behind, which might have posed a hazard. As a result, the airport was closed for a while. The debris was then retrieved by airport personnel.
The Boeing 747 aircraft was en route to the United States. “As it started firing up its engines, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, a significant section of debris being swept away,” one of the planespotters stated. At first, I thought the plane’s engine had blown up, but then I noticed the runway was crumbling. I zoomed in and started taking pictures.”
Prestwick Airport feels the airport has been thoroughly investigated. There are no abnormalities, and the airport complies with all safety regulations. However, the management report indicates that some corrective action was required. This job should have been done prior to the arrival of the world leaders for the summit.
Former RAF pilot and current aviation journalist David Learmouth stated, “Prestwick has a very lengthy main runway — longer than the one at Glasgow Airport – and it has a standby runway.” It has an exceptional microclimate, which means it is never closed by fog even when everything around it is shut down. Its rural setting makes it easier to defend if it is to be the arrival and departure point for world leaders — as it will be during COP26.”
Cargolux claimed that its pilots were unaware of the situation.
At Prestwick airport, a heavy Cargolux jet “blew up” the runway as it prepared to take off earlier this month, leaving a trail of potentially disastrous debris. Pieces of asphalt were ripped off and blown into the air. https://t.co/JiWtNFEHw1 pic.twitter.com/ciaELaEvy2
— AirportWatch (@AirportWatch) July 19, 2021