Landing Gear Doors Fall Off Cargo 747 Leaving Travis AFB

CORDELIA, Calif. -- A civilian cargo plane apparently lost two pieces, dropping two large metal doors into a residential neighborhood Sunday after taking off from Travis Air Force base, according to authorities.

The Boeing 747 took off from the base at about 12:15 p.m. and lost two metal pieces that appear to be the two right side doors to the wheel wells, said Lt. Lindsey Hahn, a spokeswoman for Travis Air Force Base.

Hahn said the pieces, each approximately 4 feet by 8 feet, landed in a residential neighborhood near the intersection of Interstates 80 and 680 in the area of Cordelia. The pieces were picked up by the California Highway Patrol and will be inspected by the FAA Monday, she said.

She said witnesses called in to report the discovery and some said they saw the pieces falling as the plane took off. There were no injuries.

The plane, which was headed to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, diverted to Los Angeles and landed safely at LAX for inspection, she said.

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