Global InformationLongtail Aviation Flight 5504 information
 VQ-BWT, the Boeing 747-400(BCF) involved, seen in March 2021 after its return to service | |
| Incident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 20 February 2021 |
| Summary | Engine failure with parts detached from aircraft |
| Site | Near Meerssen, Netherlands |
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Total injuries | 2 (on ground) |
| Total survivors | 3 |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 747-412(BCF) |
| Operator | Longtail Aviation |
| ICAO flight No. | LGT5504 |
| Call sign | LONGTAIL 5504 |
| Registration | VQ-BWT |
| Flight origin | Maastricht Airport, Maastricht, Netherlands |
| Destination | John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States |
| Occupants | 3 [1] |
| Crew | 3 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 3 |
| Ground casualties | |
| Ground fatalities | 0 |
| Ground injuries | 2 |
On February 20, 2021, Longtail Aviation Flight 5504, an international cargo flight operated by Longtail Aviation from Maastricht, Netherlands, to New York, United States, suffered an engine failure shortly after departure that caused debris to fall to the ground near the Dutch town of Meerssen. Two people on the ground were slightly injured and there was property damage to buildings and cars. The Boeing 747-400(BCF) cargo plane diverted to Liege Airport with the failed engine shut down and landed there safely.[2][3]
A criminal investigation was launched to determine if there was criminal negligence involved, but it was closed a month later with no finding of negligence. A separate aviation safety investigation was also launched by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV).
- ^ "Serious incident | VQ-BWT Final report | Dutch Safety Board (OVV)" (PDF). Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "Vliegtuig verliest onderdelen na start vliegveld Maastricht: twee gewonden" [Plane loses parts after Maastricht airport departure: two injured]. RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
- ^ "Vallende brokstukken in Meerssen: vliegt de luchtvaart te lang door met oude toestellen?" [Falling debris in Meerssen: does aviation continue for too long with old aircraft?]. de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Netherlands. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
Dit weekeinde ontploften kort achter elkaar motoren van twee oude Boeings. De vliegtuigen landden veilig, maar op de grond in Meerssen (Limburg) en in Denver (Colorado) regende het brokstukken. Vormen oude vliegtuigen een risico? (This weekend the engines of two old Boeings exploded in quick succession. The planes landed safely, but it was raining on the ground in Meerssen (Limburg) and in Denver (Colorado). Are old planes a risk?)