You know those emergency procedures aviation professionals drill repeatedly, hoping they’ll never need them? That’s exactly what unfolded when our team received a middle-of-the-night call:
“Citation down at Schiphol. Gear collapse. Runway blocked.”
Six words that instantly turned a routine evening into an all-hands-on-deck scenario. A Cessna Citation 560XL was resting on its belly at one of Europe’s busiest transportation hubs. The landing gear had collapsed during rollout—thankfully, all passengers and crew were unharmed.
But that was just the beginning.
With each passing minute, the disabled aircraft blocked inbound and outbound traffic, requiring a fast but controlled recovery operation.
That’s when JetSupport’s emergency response protocols kicked in.
Precision Under Pressure
When we arrived on scene, we weren’t just dealing with a damaged aircraft—we faced a complex technical puzzle, all under the watchful eyes of multiple authorities.
The first steps were critical. Before touching the aircraft, we secured the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—vital sources of evidence for the investigation.
Next came a full safety assessment. Our technicians inspected the aircraft for fuel leaks, hydraulic seepage, and other potential hazards that could complicate recovery or pose environmental risks.
Then, the real engineering challenge:
How do you move a multi-million-dollar aircraft when its landing gear—the system meant to support movement—has failed?
There was no standard playbook for this.
We developed a custom lifting and transport plan designed to preserve the aircraft’s structural integrity and safeguard the investigation. Every step required sign-off from airport authorities, investigation teams, and our internal safety experts.
From Crisis to Control
Ever seen a team come together when everything’s on the line?
Through seamless coordination with Schiphol operations, local aviation authorities, and specialist recovery crews, we turned a high-stakes emergency into a textbook recovery.
By midnight, the situation was under control:
- The aircraft had been safely lifted and moved to our hangar
- The runway was cleared, inspected, and reopened
- All evidence was preserved for investigators
- A secure environment was set up for a full technical analysis
Inside our climate-controlled hangar, the Citation awaited forensic investigation—the first step in understanding what went wrong and preventing future incidents.
The JetSupport Difference
Aircraft emergencies don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule—and neither do we. This case is a clear example of what sets JetSupport apart: our ability to deploy technical expertise, specialized equipment, and aviation insight when standard procedures no longer apply.
Because when an aircraft is in trouble, the real test isn’t just technical. It’s human.
Can your maintenance provider act under pressure, coordinate with stakeholders, and make the right decisions—fast?
When was the last time you evaluated your AOG contingency plan?
Is your current support network ready for the unexpected?
