A Turkish Airlines flight TK2430, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER flying from Istanbul to Antalya, was forced to evacuate after smoke was detected in the aircraft’s landing gear during taxiing at Antalya Airport in southern Turkey. All 247 passengers and 13 crew members were safely evacuated using emergency slides, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.
The cause is suspected to be a hydraulic pipe malfunction triggering the smoke. Airport emergency teams and Turkish Airlines authorities acted swiftly to coordinate the evacuation. A thorough technical inspection and investigation are currently underway to determine the exact cause and prevent future occurrences.
Quick Response and Seamless Evacuation Prevent Injuries
The incident unfolded shortly after the aircraft completed its descent and was taxiing toward the gate. Ground crew personnel and the air traffic control tower noticed smoke emanating from the plane’s landing gear, prompting an immediate emergency response.
The control tower quickly alerted the flight crew and dispatched emergency response units to the scene. Passengers, including families and children, were instructed to evacuate the aircraft using emergency slides, which were deployed efficiently and calmly. Visuals from the scene, widely shared on social media, show passengers moving in an orderly fashion.
Turkish Airlines’ senior vice president of communications, Yahya Üstün, stated that the evacuation was a precautionary act intended to protect everyone on board. Additionally, Enes Çakmak, from Turkey’s General Directorate of State Airports Authority, praised the coordination between airport staff and emergency responders, emphasising that such cooperation was crucial to ensuring that no injuries occurred. Fire crews promptly extinguished the smouldering landing gear area, preventing further risk.
Aviation Safety: Importance of Emergency Protocols and Maintenance
This incident is a reminder of how rare but critical emergency evacuations can be in the aviation sector. The detection of technical issues such as smoke in the landing gear system requires prompt action to protect passengers and crew. Emergency evacuation drills, rigorous maintenance schedules, and rapid communication between control towers and ground response teams are pivotal components of aviation safety.
Experts note that the hydraulic system, which is suspected in this case, plays a vital role in operating the landing gear and other essential aircraft functions. Failures in this system, while uncommon, could lead to smoke or even fire, mandating immediate precautions. The aviation industry continuously adapts by investigating incidents like this to refine maintenance practices and response guidelines. This aligns with previous incidents where timely evacuations prevented escalation, like a recent similar landing gear smoke evacuation at Denver International Airport in the United States.
The ongoing technical investigation will focus on identifying whether the hydraulic pipe malfunction is a singular fault or indicative of a broader maintenance concern. Findings will help prevent future faults and bolster passenger safety worldwide.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This episode shines a light on the critical role of preparedness, professionalism, and empathy in aviation safety. The calm and orderly manner in which passengers were evacuated reflects not only the training of airline staff but also the importance of passenger cooperation during emergencies. More broadly, the collaboration between emergency services and airport authorities underscores how collective efforts can preserve lives in high-pressure moments.
In a world interconnected by air travel, where journeys link families, cultures, and economies, safety must remain the highest priority—not just technically but humanely. This incident urges airlines and airports globally to constantly improve safety measures while maintaining a culture of kindness, understanding, and calm during crises.
Turkish Airlines flight TK2430, a Boeing 777-300ER, evacuates on the apron after landing at Antalya Airport after the crew detected a fire in the aircraft's landing gear. pic.twitter.com/d6Z6SGa0jT
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) July 29, 2025
Bugün İstanbul-Antalya seferini gerçekleştiren Türk Hava Yolları’na ait TK-2430 sefer sayılı Boeing 777-300 tipi uçağın inişini müteakip, taksi yolunda ilerlediği sırada iniş takımlarından duman çıktığı hava trafik kontrolörü tarafından fark edilerek pilota bilgi verilmiş;… pic.twitter.com/tgZpIF5fUt
— Enes Çakmak (@ecakmakdhmi) July 29, 2025
