Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 Freighter Returns to Tokyo After Hydraulic Failure and Runway Incident

On August 12, 2024, an Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 freighter, registration N404KZ, operating flight 5Y-7106 from Tokyo Narita (Japan) to Los Angeles, CA (USA), encountered a hydraulic system failure shortly after departure from Tokyo’s runway 16R. As the aircraft was climbing through FL140, the crew detected the issue, halted their climb, and descended to FL100, entering holding patterns while addressing the malfunction. After approximately 3.5 hours, the aircraft safely returned and landed on Narita’s runway 16R.

Incident Details:

• Hydraulic Failure: During the initial climb, the aircraft’s hydraulic system malfunctioned, leading to a loss of cabin pressure and necessitating an emergency declaration.
• Landing and Aftermath: Upon landing, two aft left body gear tires were found damaged, causing the aircraft to become immobilized on the runway. The runway remained closed for about 7 hours until the freighter was moved to an apron via tow truck.
• Aircraft Status: As of 10 days after the incident, the aircraft remains grounded in Tokyo, awaiting repairs and further inspection.

Damage and Impact:

• Runway Closure: Narita’s runway 16R was closed for approximately 7 hours, from the time of the emergency landing at 1:12 AM on August 13 until the aircraft was removed from the runway at 8:09 AM. The runway remained non-operational during this time, causing disruptions to airport traffic.
• Aircraft Damage: Inspections revealed that one of the left main landing gear tires had burst upon landing, contributing to damage to the landing gear. Japan’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is investigating the incident, classifying it as an accident.

Investigation:
The Japan TSB is conducting a thorough investigation to understand the sequence of events that led to the hydraulic failure and tire burst. Preliminary reports confirm the failure occurred shortly after the freighter’s departure. Investigators will focus on technical factors, including the hydraulic system malfunction and cabin pressure drop, which prompted the emergency return to Narita.

The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness for technical malfunctions, particularly in high-capacity freighter operations like the Boeing 747-400.