Qatar Airways jet swerves hot air balloon on descent in Brazil
The incident took place as the aircraft was arriving into São Paulo airport
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Qatar Airways plane was forced to dodge a hot air balloon that had drifted into its flight path on its final approach into São Paulo, Brazil.
The plane, which had taken off from Doha and was preparing to touch down in Guarulhos Airport on 3 July, managed to avoid the unmanned balloon, landing safely on Sunday morning.
A photographer on the ground and passenger on the flight caught the incident on camera, showing how the Boeing 777-300 swerved the balloon, which appeared to be carrying an advertising banner.
The airline told Doha News that it “is aware of an event concerning one of its aircraft involving an unmanned balloon before landing in São Paulo on Sunday 3 July.”
They added: “The flight landed as normal and safety margins were maintained at all times. The captain filed a report following the flight which is now being investigated by the Brazilian authorities.”
Rafael Freitas, who was taking pictures of the aeroplane landing, told local news that “the Boeing 777 came in a little misaligned with the runway to avoid the ballloon. When it had passed the balloon, it turned to correct its alignment.”
A passenger on the flight who took a picture of the balloon passing very close by one of the aircraft’s wings also told local media that “the balloon caught the attention of those on board”.
Data from Flightradar24, a flight tracking website, shows the plane making a slight deviation to the right to avoid the balloon while heading into Guarulhos airport.
Such balloons are illegal in Brazil, but a source reportedly told Doha News that this particular balloon was being used as part of the local Festas Juninas festival – a month of traditional festivities that take place at the beginning of the Brazilian winter in June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments