Hero pilot safely lands passenger jet with 152 people on board in Israel after landing gear tyre EXPLODES during take off in Cologne
- The Boeing 747 operated by Electra air took off from Cologne, Germany earlier
- One of the wheels reportedly exploded while it was taking off bound for Israel
- Israeli Air Force fighters escorted the jet safely into land at Ben Gurion Airport
A passenger plane carrying 152 people was forced to make an emergency landing in Israel after one of its wheels exploded during takeoff.
The Electra Air Boeing 737 circled over the Mediterranean as it prepared to come into land at Ben Gurion Airport – before eventually touching down at the busy transport hub.
The plane had earlier taken off from Cologne, Germany and landed at around 4.15pm local time.
The Electra Air passenger plane reportedly suffered a landing gear blowout as it took off from Cologne earlier today
Hundreds of emergency service personnel gathered at the airport in preparation.
It reportedly landed with an empty fuel tank to minimise the risk of an explosion.
The Jerusalem Post said that the Israeli Air Force dispatched fighter jets to survey the damaged wheel and guide it into the airport.
The jets reported a tear on the left wheel of the plane.
Photos from the runway at Ben Gurion Airport showed scores of emergency services personnel gathered in preparation for the emergency landing