A Turkish Airlines Boeing aircraft suffered a large fuselage breach after striking an antenna pole while taxiing following a routine landing at Istanbul Airport. All passengers were evacuated, with only one minor injury reported, and the airline has launched a technical investigation into the mishap.

Antenna pole collision creates 2‑meter fuselage breach

The jet, described as a 17‑year‑old model, hit an airport antenna pole during its post‑landing taxi, ripping a hole roughly two metres wide in the aircraft’s skin. Bystander video showed emergency crews surroundig the damaged plane while a radar mast toppled nearby. According to the source report, the impact left a visible breach that required the aircraft to be towed for a preliminary inspection.

One passenger suffers minor injury as crew evacuates

Turkish Airlines confirmed that every person on board was safely removed from the aircraft, and only a single passenger reported a minor injury. Inside‑cabin footage captured oxygen masks dangling from the overhead panel as some travelers remained seated, underscoring the sudden nature of the evacuation. The airline’s statement emphasized that the landing itself had been “normal and safe” before the ground incident occurred.

Investigation probes possible taxi‑way miscommunication

The airline has opened a technical probe to determine why the aircraft struck the pole, with early speculation focusing on a potential miscommunication between the flight crew and ground control, an unexpected obstruction, or a steering/braking malfunction during taxi. As the source notes,no definitive cause has been released, and officials are reviewing ground‑handling protocols and pilot training for large‑aircraft maneuvers.

Turkish Airlines expands fleet with 225 Boeing jets amid safety scare

Just weeks before the incident, Turkish Airlines announced a major purchase of 75 Boeing B787‑9/10 Dreamliners and 150 Boeing 737‑8/10 MAX aircraft, a 225‑plane order that signals aggressive growth . the collision involving an older Boeing model therefore arrives at a sensitive moment, highlighting the challenge of maintaining safety standards across a rapidly expanding and diverse fleet, as the source points out.