Prime Air 767 Freighter Chicago-Houston Declares Emergency
Update 15:25 UTC
Prime Air flight 8C3347, a Boeing 767-300F freighter bound for George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) departed Chicago Rockford at 09:21 local time today.
The flight declared an emergency with squawk code 7700 whilst outbound in the cruise over Missouri.
The aircraft then descended to 10,000 feet and is currently holding at the reduced altitude, possibly to dump fuel.
Although the flight has returned to a normal squawk, the intention appears to be a return to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD).
1 hr 8 min ago17/07/24
About N457AZ – The Prime Air Boeing 767 Involved in the Emergency on 8C3347 Chicago-Houston…
N457AZ is the aircraft involved in the earlier emergency declaration.
As per Planespotters, the aircraft is a 31.4 year old Boeing 767-300 that originally started out life with American Airlines in March 1993.
It remained with the airline until July 2019, when the aircraft was handed over to Cargo Aircraft Management to be converted into a freighter.
By July 2020, the aircraft was handed over to Air Transport International, which operates the aircraft for Amazon Prime Air.
1 hr ago17/07/24
Crawling Back to Rockford at 10,000 Feet…
8C3347 is crawling back to Rockford at 10,000 feet. What could be the possible causes?
It could be a range of issues with the 31 year old airliner, such as loss of pressurisation, as well as a potential engine out.
Furthermore, whatever it is, it’s clearly under control, given the change in squawk from 7700 to 3545.
48 min ago17/07/24
Getting Closer…
8C3347 is getting closer to Rockford as the path to return to the departure airport continues.
46 min ago17/07/24
Descent Commenced…
8C3347 has commenced it’s descent back into Chicago Rockford.
32 min ago17/07/24
On Final…
8C3347 is now on final approach into Rockford, landing expected imminently.
29 min ago17/07/24
TOUCHDOWN!
TOUCHDOWN! Prime Air flight 8C3347, originally bound for Houston, has touched down back into Chicago Rockford following the emergency call it made not long after departure.
As soon as we have the official cause of the incident, then we will update you accordingly.
For now, this remains a developing story pending additional updates.