An Airwork Group 737-300F freighter operating on behalf of Australia’s Pacific Air Express has been extensively damaged in a landing incident at Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The aircraft, Toll-painted ZK-TLC, was at the end of a scheduled service from Brisbane when its starboard main gear collapsed after landing on January 26.
Images show the aircraft resting on its starboard side engine nacelle and rear fuselage surrounded in foam and with its reverse thrusters employed, suggesting the gear collapsed after landing. According to reports the crew of three was uninjured and that the aircraft was to be bulldozed clear of Honiara’s single runway so that damage to the runway could be assessed and airport operations could resume.
Auckland-based Airwork operates a number of freighters including seven 737s. The damaged aircraft is reportedly a former US Airways airliner which was converted to a freighter and acquired by Airwork in 2007.
