ASL Airlines 747-400ERF still stuck in Nanchang after aborted takeoff

ASL Airlines Belgium is down a 747-400ERF.

On August 23, a 747-400ERF (33516) operated by ASL Airlines Belgium was en-route to Liege (LGG) from Nanchang (KHN) when the crew rejected the takeoff. While decelerating, the aircraft’s brakes overheated and deflated fourteen of the tires. The crew managed to safely evacuate the aircraft from the upper deck evacuation slide, and there were no injuries reported.

KHN’s single runway subsequently was closed for 11 hours while cargo was unloaded from the freighter before it was towed off the runway, according to local media reports. Photos of the aircraft quickly surfaced on Twitter:

Incident Boeing 747-400 freighter (with registration OE-IFB) on 24th August 2019 at Nanchang on the flight ASL Airlines Belgium 3V-820 from Nanchang/KHN (Ťiang-si, China)🇨🇳 to Liege/LGG (Belgium)🇧🇪; rejected takeoff. 14 of 16 main tyres deflated due to brakes overheat. pic.twitter.com/uFp5Mipy49

— Tomáš Semrád (@Tomas40916602) August 25, 2019

For now, the aircraft remains at KHN. It is unclear how soon the 747F can reenter service, and ASL Airlines could not be reached for comment by press time.