Sparks fly as FedEx Boeing 757 overruns runway in crash landing

A FedEx Boeing 757 overran the runway during a gear-up landing at the Chattanooga-Lovell Field Airport (CHA) Wednesday night. The plane crash-landed and went off the runway, coming to rest without a fire and without any reported injuries for the three crew members. The flight departed from CHA for the Memphis International Airport but reported an issue with the landing gear after takeoff and circled the airport to burn off fuel, a spokesperson told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The landing gear did not descend and the aircraft skidded down the runway with sparks and smoke trailing behind. The call came in to the Fire Department at around 11:04 p.m. and teams were quickly set out into position to wait. The Chattanooga Fire Department said there was no fire, only smoke coming from the engines. The Fire Department praised the pilot and airport personnel, as well as all responding agencies, for the coordinated effort. Video from Hamilton County Emergency Services captured the landing, showing the trail of light behind the 757 as it sped down the runway. The primary runway was closed but a secondary runway remained open. Officials told the Chattanoogan that the primary opened shortly before 11 a.m. on Thursday. The NTSB tweeted it would be investigating the runway excursion.