Myanmar National Airlines pilot lands Embraer plane on its nose as landing gear fails

The pilot was praised after nobody was hurt in the incident

Rescue teams gather near a plane of Myanmar National Airline (MNA) after an accident at Mandalay International airport. Aung Thura via AP

A Myanmar pilot saved the day after his aircraft's landing gear failed, forcing the jet into an emergency landing with no front wheels an official said. AFP

Firefighters hose the plane after the accident at Mandalay International airport in Mandalay, Myanmar. Aung Thura via AP

Smoke enters the cabin as passengers wait to evacuate after Myanmar National Airlines flight UB103. Nay Min via Reuters

A passenger records the scene on her phone as firefighters attend to the Myanmar National Airlines flight. Nay Min via Reuters

Passengers walk away from the plane after Myanmar National Airlines flight UB103 landed without a front wheel. Nay Min via Reuters

A Myanmar pilot safely landed a passenger jet without its front wheels on Sunday, after landing gear on the Myanmar National Airlines plane failed, the airline and an official said.

It was the second aviation incident in Myanmar this week, after a Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane skidded off the runway during strong wind in Yangon on Wednesday, injuring at least 17 of those on board.

An official praised the pilot for bringing the Embraer 190 aircraft in to land at Mandalay airport on Sunday morning despite the technical failure. No one was hurt.

"The pilot did a great job," said Win Khant, permanent secretary of transportation and telecommunication ministry, adding the incident was being investigated.

Myanmar National Airlines, the state-run carrier, said the aircraft had departed from the city of Yangon and was approaching the airport serving the central city of Mandalay when the pilot was unable to extend the front landing gear.

The pilot, Captain Myat Moe Aung, flew past the airport twice so that air-traffic controllers could check if the landing gear was down, the airline said.

"Then the captain followed emergency procedures and did the fuel burn out to reduce the landing weight," it said.

Video of the landing shows the plane touching down on its rear wheels before lowering its nose. The aircraft travels some distance along the runway on its nose, kicking up smoke, before coming to a halt.

The crew then performed an emergency evacuation.

The airline did not say how many people were on board but Embraer said on its website the aircraft has a typical capacity of between 96 and 114 seats.