On February 13, 2026, an otherwise routine day at Antalya Airport in Turkey was abruptly interrupted when a SunExpress Boeing 737-800, operating as flight XQ7646, experienced a dramatic and highly unusual malfunction. As the aircraft was taxiing for a domestic service to Gaziantep, its left main landing gear suddenly collapsed, causing the jet to lurch onto its left engine and come to a halt on taxiway J. The incident, which unfolded just before takeoff from Runway 18L, left the aircraft stranded and inoperable, but—remarkably—did not result in any injuries among the 175 passengers and six crew members on board.
According to a statement shared by a SunExpress spokesperson and reported by Simple Flying, "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 message was echoed in statements to other media, with the airline repeatedly emphasizing that safety remains paramount.
Eyewitness accounts and images circulating on social media captured the startling aftermath: the Boeing 737—identified by registration TC-SOB—resting awkwardly on its left engine, the left landing gear strut visibly bent backward. The incident is particularly notable because landing gear collapses most commonly occur during the high-impact stresses of landing, not while an aircraft is taxiing at low speed on the ground. As reported by The Aviation Herald and other outlets, the collapse happened as the jet was preparing for departure, not during landing or takeoff, making it an outlier among aviation mishaps.
SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa Group, responded swiftly. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely via stairs, and a replacement aircraft was arranged to complete the Antalya-Gaziantep journey. The alternate flight departed after a delay of over four hours, ensuring that all affected travelers eventually reached their destination. The damaged aircraft, meanwhile, was removed from service and subjected to a thorough technical inspection to assess the full extent of the harm, particularly to the engine and wing structures.
The aircraft involved in the incident was about ten years old, having been delivered to SunExpress in 2016. It had arrived in Antalya earlier that day from Diyarbakir, according to reporting from FlightGlobal. At the time of the collapse, the jet was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, as confirmed by the Antalya regional governorship. The fact that no one was injured is a testament to the professionalism of the crew and the effectiveness of established safety procedures.
While the exact cause of the landing gear failure remains under investigation, initial reports suggest that the left main gear strut either bent or broke backward, resulting in significant structural damage. Aviation experts have pointed out that this does not appear to be a case of inadvertent gear retraction, which is a more common culprit in such incidents and can sometimes be traced to human error. Instead, the malfunction points to a possible technical failure in the gear assembly itself—a scenario that will require detailed examination of the aircraft's components and data logs.
There are multiple safeguards in modern aviation designed to prevent accidental landing gear retraction on the ground. As Simple Flying explains, one such measure is the use of landing gear pins—bright red tags marked "Remove Before Flight"—which physically prevent the gear from retracting while the aircraft is stationary. Additionally, the Weight On Wheels (WOW) system electronically detects whether the jet is on the ground or airborne and disables gear retraction when the plane is grounded. These redundant safety features make inadvertent retraction exceedingly rare, which only deepens the mystery surrounding this particular collapse.
In the broader context of aviation safety, incidents like this are exceptionally uncommon. Typically, landing gear failures occur under the duress of landing, when the gear absorbs the force of touchdown. Taxiing, by contrast, involves much lower speeds and loads. Yet, as aviation history shows, mechanical systems can fail in unexpected ways. Just a week prior to the SunExpress event, an Airbus A300 freighter at Baltimore Airport experienced a nose-gear collapse while stationary on the ground during maintenance. In that case, as reported by Simple Flying, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation, though no injuries occurred.
The SunExpress incident is now under the scrutiny of Turkish aviation authorities, given both the location and the aircraft's Turkish registration. However, because the aircraft is a Boeing 737—a product of the U.S.-based Boeing Company—the FAA may also become involved. Moreover, with SunExpress being a joint venture, technical support from both Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa is expected to play a role in the ongoing inquiry. The collaborative nature of the investigation is likely to ensure a thorough review of maintenance records, component histories, and manufacturer guidance.
As the probe continues, SunExpress has reiterated its commitment to transparency and passenger welfare. The airline's spokesperson stated, "The safety of our passengers and crew members is always our top priority." This sentiment was echoed in all official communications, underscoring the airline's focus on restoring confidence among travelers and industry partners alike.
The aviation community is watching closely, not just for the results of the investigation but for any potential implications for other operators of the Boeing 737-800, a model widely used around the world. While the aircraft involved was a decade old, it had a routine maintenance history, and no prior issues had been reported. The results of the technical inspection and subsequent investigation will be critical in determining whether this was an isolated incident or if there are broader lessons to be learned for the industry.
For the passengers and crew of flight XQ7646, the day ended with relief and gratitude. Despite the alarming nature of the event, everyone was able to walk away unharmed. For SunExpress, the challenge now is to uncover the root cause, repair the damaged jet, and reassure the flying public that their safety remains, as always, the top priority.