Watch: Boeing 737 makes emergency landing in South Africa after wheel falls off

A Boeing 737 made an emergency landing in South Africa on Sunday, 21 April, after a wheel came off shortly after takeoff.

Video showed smoke coming from an unprotected wheel hub as a FlySafair flight landed at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

A bang was heard in other footage as the plane screeched along the runway before stopping.

Boeing told The Independent: “We’ll refer you to FlySafair about this in-service incident.

“This is a 17-year-old airplane, and the airline maintains its fleet.”

The Independent has contacted FlySafair for comment.