The incident occurred at Taranto airport, Italy. The plane’s 100-pound wheel came off the landing gear just seconds after takeoff.

What happened?

A video posted on social media shows a small cloud of black smoke appearing in the landing gear area shortly after the Dreamlifter takes off. After that, a wheel comes out of the plane, crashes onto the runway, bounces off the ground several times, and disappears.

The moment the wheel fell: video

The company has launched an investigation into the incident. No negative results were reported for the aircraft. Simple Flying reached out to Boeing for comment. The American company said the plane landed safely in Charleston.

The Atlas Air Dreamlifter cargo plane landed safely at Charleston International Airport this morning after a wheel came off its landing gear during takeoff from Taranto Grottagli Airport in Italy. We will support our operator’s investigation,
– Reviews at Boeing.

The wheel was later found in a vineyard at the end of the track, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.

What is known about the Dreamlifter

• The Dreamlifter has been flying for over 30 years. Its first flight took place in August 1992. It was later used by Malaysia Airlines.
• Later in 2007 the plane converted into an oversized freighter and Evergreen International Airlines.
• The Dreamlifter has a displacement of 65,000 cubic feet and can hold three times more cargo than a 747-400F freighter.