An Atlas Air/MSC Air Cargo freighter operating between Hong Kong and Liege, Belgium experienced hail damage after flying through a severe hailstorm after departure on 28 April 2024.
Atlas Air flight 5Y8341, a Boeing 777-200 freighter, encountered a hail strike shortly after departure from Hong Kong.
Atlas Air 5Y8341 Hong Kong-Liege
The aircraft was on climb when the incident occurred. Flight crew made the decision to continue to the destination following the hail strike.
After landing at Liege Airport (LGG), an inspection revealed hail damage, particularly to the aircraft’s radome and parts of the tail empennage.
Flight data shows that flight 5Y8341 made a departure out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 2023 local time on 28 April.
The flight set course and climbed continuously to flight level FL320 (32,000 feet) for the service to Belgium. In the aircraft reportedly encountered hail during the climb shortly after departure from Hong Kong.
The flight did not declare a formal emergency and elected to continue to the destination under normal flight operating procedures.
Boeing 777-200F N709GT
The aircraft conducting the 5Y8341 freight service to Liege Airport (LGG) was a Boeing 777-200F registered N709GT.
This is a six month old converted freighter aircraft being operated by the carrier Atlas Air under contract to MSC Air Cargo. It has been in service with the freight carrier since its initial delivery in November 2023.
Atlas Air is a major American cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor based in Purchase, New York. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings.
Atlas Air and MSC Air Cargo have a strategic partnership built on an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance (ACMI) agreement. This means Atlas Air provides MSC Air Cargo with:
- Aircraft: Atlas Air owns and operates the airplanes used by MSC Air Cargo. Currently, this is a fleet of four Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft specifically designated for MSC.
- Crew: The carrier supplies the pilots and other personnel who fly the cargo planes on behalf of MSC Air Cargo.
- Maintenance: The airline is responsible for keeping the MSC Air Cargo airplanes in good working order.
- Insurance: Atlas Air covers the insurance on the MSC Air Cargo airplanes.
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