Grove GMK6300L-1 Supports Aircraft Rescue Operation at Istanbul Airport
- Meagan Wood
- Jun 19, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 2
30-Second Takeaway
Turkish crane rental company ÖZ TUNCEL deployed its 300-tonne Grove GMK6300L-1 all-terrain crane during a high-profile aircraft recovery at Istanbul Airport, after a FedEx Express Boeing 767 landed without its front landing gear. The crane carefully lifted the aircraft’s 15.4-tonne nose section over an eight-hour operation, enabling safe recovery and a rapid return to normal airport operations.
Dramatic Aircraft Incident at Istanbul Airport
A FedEx Express Boeing 767 cargo aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Istanbul Airport after experiencing a failure of its front landing gear. The aircraft touched down without nose gear, causing the fuselage to strike the runway and generate visible sparks an incident that quickly drew global attention.
Thanks to coordinated guidance from air traffic control and the skill of the flight crew, the aircraft came to a stop safely. All crew members evacuated without injury.
Precision Lifting in a High-Risk Environment
Following the incident, ÖZ TUNCEL was called in to support the aircraft recovery operation. Central to the task was the company’s Grove GMK6300L-1, which remained on site for approximately eight hours.
The crane was tasked with lifting and stabilizing the 15.4-tonne nose section of the aircraft. This required extremely controlled movement to ensure that no additional stress or damage was transferred to the fuselage, wings, or rear landing gear during the operation.
The recovery demanded both lifting capacity and fine control especially critical when working around sensitive aircraft structures on an active runway.
Reliability Under Pressure
Ali Doğan Tuncel, owner of ÖZ TUNCEL, highlighted the importance of crane reliability during the operation:
“We needed a crane that we could rely on, and Grove’s GMK 6300L-1 was the perfect choice. The strength and control of the crane were exceptional, allowing us to execute this difficult operation with no problems. The salvage was a success, and normal services were swiftly resumed at the airport, thanks, in part, to the reliability and precision of the GMK 6300L-1.”
The successful recovery allowed airport authorities to clear the runway efficiently and resume flight operations with minimal disruption.
Grove GMK6300L-1: Designed for Critical Lifts
The Grove GMK6300L-1 is a 300-tonne, six-axle all-terrain crane designed for demanding lifting applications where reach, stability, and precision are essential.
Key performance highlights include:
Ability to lift 14 tonnes at the full 80-metre length of its MEGAFORM® main boom
Six-axle configuration providing excellent stability and mobility
Advanced Crane Control System (CCS) for smooth, precise load handling
These capabilities made the GMK6300L-1 especially well-suited for the delicate aircraft recovery operation, where controlled movement was as critical as raw lifting power.
About ÖZ TUNCEL
ÖZ TUNCEL is a Turkish crane rental and heavy lifting specialist providing mobile crane solutions for infrastructure, aviation, industrial, and special recovery operations. The company is known for its ability to execute complex lifts in challenging environments where safety, precision, and reliability are essential.
Learn More 🔗 https://www.oztuncel.com.tr
About Grove Cranes
Grove is a globally recognized manufacturer of all-terrain and rough-terrain cranes, offering lifting solutions that combine high capacity, long reach, and advanced control systems. Grove cranes are widely used in infrastructure, industrial construction, energy, and emergency recovery applications worldwide.
Learn More 🔗 https://www.manitowoc.com/brands/grove
Frequently Asked Questions
What crane was used in the Istanbul Airport aircraft recovery?
A 300-tonne Grove GMK6300L-1 all-terrain crane operated by ÖZ TUNCEL.
How much weight was lifted during the operation?
The crane lifted approximately 15.4 tonnes, corresponding to the aircraft’s nose section.
Why was precise control critical during the lift?
Any uncontrolled movement could have caused further damage to the aircraft’s fuselage or landing gear, increasing recovery risk and downtime.
How long did the recovery operation take
?The crane remained on site for roughly eight hours to complete the controlled lift and stabilization.
What makes the GMK6300L-1 suitable for rescue operations?
Its combination of high lifting capacity, long boom reach, stability, and advanced Crane Control System enables safe, precise handling of sensitive loads.
