Terrifying Moment as TUI Plane Suffers Tyre Blowout During Takeoff in Corfu Before Emergency Landing in Birmingham

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Passengers on a TUI (Touristik Union International) flight from Corfu to Birmingham endured a terrifying ordeal when one of the aircraft’s tyres exploded during takeoff, prompting an emergency response upon landing in the United Kingdom. The incident, caught on camera by one of the passengers, led to heightened panic on board as the crew issued emergency commands shortly before touchdown.

Kris, a passenger from Telford, Shropshire, was traveling with his wife Katie and their two sons, 13-year-old Olly and 9-year-old Zach, when the unexpected tyre burst occurred. “There were bits of tyre flying everywhere,” he said. “The whole wing was rippling.” Sitting beside the window, Kris witnessed the explosion firsthand and captured footage of the loud thump as the plane sped down the runway.

Despite the blowout, the aircraft proceeded with the flight to the UK. For nearly two hours, passengers were left unaware of the exact nature of the incident, as no immediate announcement was made by the pilots. However, Kris suspected the severity of the situation based on what he had seen outside the window.

Roughly fifteen minutes before landing in Birmingham, a military aircraft was spotted accompanying the TUI plane. According to Kris, “It had come to scout out the landing gear and tyre to see if it was OK.” Emergency services were already on standby when the plane approached the runway.

As the aircraft prepared to land, the cabin crew repeatedly issued the command, “Heads down, heads down,” heightening the sense of urgency and alarm among the passengers. “It was pretty crazy,” Kris recalled. “There were sparks when we touched down, and crews started spraying the wheels with water immediately after.”

Though the landing was described as “bumpy,” the aircraft’s multiple tyres ensured a relatively safe touchdown. “I was just trying to hold it together for the kids, and my wife was trying to hold it together too,” he added.

Katie broke down in tears upon landing, and passengers erupted in applause once the aircraft safely came to a halt. Kris noted, “The pilot came out and bowed. I don’t know how dangerous it really was—we may never have been in danger, or it might have been very dangerous, and the pilot just pulled it off.”

While some technical details remain unclear, the incident underscores the importance of professional handling in aviation emergencies. The pilot and crew were praised by those on board for their composure, as passengers expressed immense relief to be safely back on solid ground.