What happened
During the descent toward Larnaca Airport, the crew of cargo flight CY205 reported a mechanical malfunction to air traffic control. The pilot indicated that the left main landing gear had failed to deploy and remained trapped within the wheel well. In response to this emergency, authorities directed the aircraft to divert to RAF Akrotiri.
In preparation for the arrival, emergency responders were deployed to the airfield, and the runway was treated with foam to mitigate risks. The aircraft subsequently performed a belly landing on the prepared surface. Following the touchdown, the aircraft type slid several hundred meters along the runway before coming to a complete stop. There were no injuries reported among the three crew members, though the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
- The primary factor in the emergency was the failure of the left main landing gear to extend from its housing.