A wheel fell off a passenger jet onto a Sicilian beach on Thursday morning.
The incident took place shortly after the Boeing 737-36 Meridiana jet took off from Catania's Fontanarossa airport at 9.28am.
The jet was a direct flight bound for Milan's Linate airport, Corriere Della Sera reported.
But shortly after take off, the plane experienced a severe technical fault, resulting in one of its rear wheels falling off.
The wheel landed on Della Plaia beach, which was fortunately empty at the time.
The beach is crowded during the summer months, during which time a similar incident would probably have resulted in tragedy.
© Google MapsDella Plaia beach near Catania is a popular spot for summer bathers.
The aircraft was carrying 90 people - all of whom were oblivious to the fact that the plane was missing a wheel. So as not to alarm the passengers, the pilot simply told them "a technical problem" meant they had to turn back.
Italy's national agency for aviation safety, Ansv, has launched a full inquiry into the incident, which it described as a "serious safety breach".
A statement released by Meridiana said that the company was "co-operating fully with Ansv to thoroughly analyze what happened."
The note also praised the work of the pilot, who they said had "correctly activated procedures to safely land the plane."
Meridiana also announced that it had done everything in its power to avoid inconveniencing passengers. The company said that 78 passengers left on the next possible Milan-bound flight, while the remaining 12 finally took of at 3pm.
I'm amazed at the fact that 737s are still flying along with DC9s and DC10s. Not to mention
that smaller aircraft are more prone to accidents. Also, the structure and systems of these aircrafts are getting all the more complex, anything could go wrong. Currently the French are building in accordance with China a larger and faster Concorde. But for whom ?
All forms of transportation are dangerous. Even if you are not moving an earthquake can take down the place you live in. Or any other form of rage by mother nature unless there's prior warning for evacuation.
Not to mention that "accidents" sometimes are done on purpose and if the HAARP is used
natural phenomena can be used as weapons which so far has been done enough times already.