An Eithad plane with almost 300 passengers on board has been forced to abort take-off after its landing gear caught on fire and caused two wheels to explode.
Etihad Airways flight EY461 bound for Abu Dhabi was moments from take-off at Melbourne Airport on Sunday night when the drama unfolded.
Footage from the scene shows the plane on the tarmac surrounded by fire trucks.
A passenger on board told 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate that the plane ‘had to slam on the emergency brakes’ during take-off.
The Boeing 787 jet has two deflated wheels and remains on runway 34, which is currently closed.
The 289 passengers on board have since disembarked from the plane and returned to the terminal.
Fire crews met the Etihad Airways plane on the tarmac after its landing gear caught on fire
There are no reports of injuries.
‘Etihad Airways flight EY461 rejected take off this evening when departing Melbourne Airport,’ an airport spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service responded to a request from the aircraft and deployed fire fighting foam as a precaution.
‘Due to damage to the aircraft’s tyres, we have been unable to tow it off the runway. Repairs are currently underway.’
The pre-flight emergency has caused lengthy delays in both departures and arrivals at Melbourne Airport.
‘We continue to have one runway available for operations which will be used for all arrivals and departures,’ the spokeswoman added.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Etihad Airways for further comment.
Almost 300 passengers were on board the plane bound for Abu Dhabi
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