On a typically bustling Friday afternoon at Antalya Airport, a routine taxi to the runway turned into a dramatic episode for passengers and crew aboard SunExpress Flight XQ7646. The Boeing 737-800, registration TC-SOB, was scheduled to depart for Gaziantep on February 13, 2026, when its left-hand main landing gear suddenly collapsed while taxiing. The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members, lurched to the left and settled onto its left engine cowling, coming to an abrupt halt on the taxiway. What followed was a swift, well-orchestrated response that underscored the airline industry’s unwavering commitment to safety—even in the face of rare mechanical failures.
According to Aviation Today, the collapse occurred just as the plane was preparing for takeoff, causing the aircraft to become inoperable and stuck on the taxiway. Emergency services at Antalya Airport sprang into action. Firefighters and rescue teams secured the area, and all occupants were evacuated safely via stairs. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew—a testament to the professionalism of the airline staff and airport responders.
SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and the Lufthansa Group, quickly issued a statement clarifying the situation: “SunExpress flight XQ7646 experienced a technical issue involving the landing gear strut during taxiing for the Antalya-Gaziantep service. Passengers were safely disembarked, and the aircraft was taken out of operation for technical inspection. The Antalya-Gaziantep service will be operated by a different aircraft. At SunExpress, the safety of our passengers and crew members is always our top priority.” This sentiment was echoed in all official communications, with the airline emphasizing that the safety of everyone on board remained paramount throughout the ordeal.
Images from the scene circulated widely, showing the aircraft resting awkwardly on its left engine, with the damaged landing gear clearly visible. The incident, while dramatic, caused only brief disruption at Antalya Airport. As reported by Travel Radar, flight operations continued with minimal interruption once the area was secured. Passengers were transferred to a replacement Boeing 737-800, and after a delay of about four to five hours, they continued their journey to Gaziantep. For many, it was an unexpected adventure—albeit one that ended safely and without harm.
The aircraft involved, tail number TC-SOB, had been delivered to SunExpress in 2016 and had already completed a scheduled flight from Diyarbakir earlier that day. Maintenance records and the aircraft’s history are now under close examination by Turkish aviation authorities, who have launched a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the failure. As The Aviation Herald noted, “The cause of the collapse is under investigation and can only be determined through examination of the aircraft, components, and data logs.”
Landing gear collapses during taxiing are exceedingly rare in commercial aviation. These systems are engineered with multiple redundancies and safety interlocks, designed specifically to prevent uncommanded retraction or structural failure while the aircraft is on the ground. As Travel Radar explained, landing gear pins—marked with a bright red “Remove Before Flight” tag—are inserted when the aircraft is stationary to prevent accidental retraction. Despite these safeguards, mechanical failures can still occur, often due to unforeseen technical faults or, less commonly, human error. However, speculation about the cause of this particular incident remains just that—speculation—until the ongoing investigation yields definitive answers.
For Antalya, a city renowned for its Mediterranean charm and as a gateway to the Turkish Riviera, the incident was a brief disruption in an otherwise smooth flow of air traffic. Antalya Airport is one of Turkey’s busiest, serving millions of domestic and international travelers each year. Its role as a major hub for both tourism and business means that any operational hiccup is felt widely, but also that the airport and its partners are well-versed in responding to unexpected events. As Aviation Today pointed out, the incident “triggered brief disruption at the airport, with emergency services securing the area while flight operations continued.”
SunExpress, for its part, has built a reputation as a reliable carrier, particularly for leisure travelers. Founded as a partnership between two aviation giants, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, SunExpress operates a fleet dominated by Boeing 737s. The airline’s quick response and transparent communication during this incident have been widely praised. “The airline arranged an alternative aircraft for the affected passengers, and they were flown to their destination after a four-hour delay,” reported Travel Radar. Passengers, while inconvenienced, were kept informed and ultimately delivered safely to their destination.
This event also shines a spotlight on the broader context of air travel safety. Incidents like landing gear collapses, though alarming, are extremely rare thanks to rigorous maintenance protocols and constant oversight by aviation authorities. The affected aircraft had no prior reported issues and had just completed another scheduled flight earlier that day. Still, as The Aviation Herald noted, “the true cause of the collapse can only be determined through an investigation of the aircraft, its components, and data logs.”
For travelers, the takeaway is clear: while such incidents can and do occur, the layers of safety built into commercial aviation—from engineering redundancies to emergency response protocols—are highly effective at protecting passengers and crew. As the investigation proceeds, SunExpress and Turkish aviation authorities will focus on maintenance records, the integrity of the gear assembly, and any potential mechanical faults that might have contributed to the collapse.
In the meantime, Antalya Airport continues to serve as a vital link for tourists and locals alike, connecting the city to destinations across Turkey and beyond. Gaziantep, the intended destination of Flight XQ7646, is itself a city of rich culinary and historical heritage, and the brief delay did little to dampen the spirits of those eager to explore its offerings.
Ultimately, the SunExpress landing gear collapse at Antalya Airport stands as a reminder of both the unpredictability and the resilience of modern air travel. Passengers and crew emerged unscathed, operations resumed quickly, and the investigation now aims to ensure that lessons are learned and future flights remain as safe as ever.