Turkish Airlines Jet In Repairs After Hydraulic Failure

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Turkish Airlines aircraft that suffered a mid-air technical malfunction over Sri Lankan airspace is now undergoing repairs after safely landing at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, early this morning, officials confirmed.

According to Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Chief Executive Officer and Director General of Airport and Aviation Services, the issue was caused by a hydraulic system failure, which prevented the landing gear from retracting after takeoff.

The flight, operating as TK-733, had departed Katunayake at 10:00 PM last night bound for Istanbul, Turkey, carrying 202 passengers and 10 crew members aboard an Airbus A330, one of the largest passenger aircraft in service.

Upon detecting the malfunction, the pilot executed a controlled maneuver to burn excess fuel, circling above Chilaw for more than two hours at approximately 160 knots, completing 27 loops before returning to Katunayake for a safe landing at around 12:30 AM.

Authorities activated comprehensive emergency protocols:

Fire and rescue units were deployed at the airport.

Ambulances and medical teams were placed on standby.

Navy boats and rescue teams were stationed off the Negombo coast.

District hospital staff were prepared for any eventuality.

Following the safe landing, all passengers were evacuated and accommodated at nearby hotels while engineers began repair work.