NEW YORK- Qatar Airways (QR) flight QR703 pilots from Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) reported low tire pressure while entering U.S. airspace. The Boeing 777-300ER, registered as A7-BAC, requested JFK’s longest runway for landing due to performance concerns.
Despite early communication with Boston Center, a breakdown in relaying the message meant that New York Approach and Tower controllers were unaware of the request until late in the approach. An emergency was declared, and the aircraft landed safely on Runway 4L without further issue.
Photo: Clément AlloingQatar Airways Pilots Request at JFK
As QR703 approached U.S. airspace, the flight crew reported a low-pressure reading on one of the main landing gear tires. They notified Boston Center and requested Runway 4L at JFK, which is longer and better suited for landing with potential brake or tire complications.
Boston Center acknowledged the request and assured the crew it would be relayed to New York controllers.
But when Qatar 703 checked in with New York Approach, it became clear that the message hadn’t been passed along. The controller initially directed them toward Runway 13L and appeared unaware of any special conditions.
Upon clarification, the flight was eventually rerouted for the preferred Runway 4L, but only after the crew repeated the details about the low tire pressure.
New York Tower also had no prior notice. Controllers requested key emergency details, including the number of people onboard—354 passengers and 19 crew—and remaining fuel, which was 17,400 pounds. At that point, the situation was treated as an emergency.
The aircraft continued its approach with descent and speed instructions provided en route to Runway 4L. The crew remained calm and professional throughout, clearly communicating their needs and confirming they were fully prepared for the approach. No additional traffic was lined up behind them, allowing full flexibility during the final phase.
Upon landing, the pilot informed Tower that they might need to vacate the runway slowly due to the compromised tire. The aircraft exited at Taxiway Fox and confirmed they could continue under their own power. No assistance was needed, and the flight taxied normally to the gate.
Photo: By Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland – Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER; A7-BAF@FRA;16.07.2011/609gt, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26714741New York ATC and Pilots’ Communication
Here’s the detailed communication transcript between New York JFK and the Qatar Airways 777 Pilots as described by You Can See ATC:
{ts:23}
ATC: 73 heavy, 73, go ahead.
Pilot: Sir, be so kind. Are you in contact with the JFK approach? Because we’d like to request runway 4 left for arrival, because—
{ts:35}
Pilot: —We have a low, low-pressure tire on one of our main landing gear tires, and we request a longer runway.
ATC: 73 left or right, 73. Roger, 73, you’re working on that right now. I—
{ts:56}
ATC: —just want to verify, not anything…
Pilot: Negative, nothing like that. Uh, thank you very much. 73—
{ts:66}
ATC: 73, approach has request for left.
Pilot: Thank you very much, I really appreciate the help, 73.
{ts:81}
Pilot: Approach, good day. QAR 703 heavy, 510 landing.
ATC: 703, New York, depart V, heading 140, expect Zulu, runway 13 left approach, Victor is current, negative—
{ts:97}
Pilot: 703 heavy, we requested runway four left earlier with the approach—what’s negative?
ATC: I’m sorry, you’re requesting four left for what reason?
Pilot: Okay, we requested runway four left earlier due to performance. We are landing with one tire pressure low, so we requested the longer runway. It was, uh, asked a while ago with the previous controller.
ATC: Yeah, I’m always left for now, stand by with your request.
Pilot: Okay, thank you, 703. Do you want us to leave LaGuardia V at heading 143, depart heading 140?
ATC: Okay, depart V 140, 703. 703, maintain 13,000. Altimeter 30.26, descent 1 into 30.26.
{ts:154}
ATC: 703 heavy, uh, the tower is looking for more information. You have one tire with low pressure, is that correct?
Pilot: That is correct. We have one tire with low pressure and this is why we requested runway four left, because it’s longer and the wind is helping us a lot. Thank you very much, appreciate it.
{ts:172}
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, understood. For some reason, that word never got to us, so that’s why we’re asking all the questions. Apologies to you. Qatari 73 heavy, when you’re able: number of persons on board and fuel remaining in pounds?
Pilot: Standby, 73… Qatari 73, I got the information here for you: 354 passengers on board and 19 crew, and we have 17.4 thousand lbs of fuel.
{ts:206}
ATC: 703 heavy, thank you.
ATC: 703 heavy, turn right 170, descend maintain 8,000.
Pilot: Right 170, descend 8,000, Qatari 73.
ATC: 73, I don’t think I officially told you. You can plan for four left approach.
Pilot: All right, I appreciate it, thank you. ILS four left, Qatari 73.
ATC: 73, contact New York approach 128.12.
Pilot: Good day, 128.12, 703.
{ts:236}
Pilot: Approach, 703 heavy, descending 8,000 on heading 170.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, New York approach, fly heading 200.
Pilot: Fly heading 200, 73.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, are you ready for the approach at this time or do you need a little bit of delay vectors?
Pilot: No, we’re fully ready for approach, 73.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, descend maintain 3,000.
Pilot: Maintain 3,000, 703.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, turn right heading 270.
Pilot: Right heading 270, 703.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, descend, maintain 2,000.
Pilot: Maintain 2,000, Qatari 73.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, heading 290.
Pilot: Heading 290, 703.
ATC: Do you have any speed?
Pilot: Qatari 703 heavy, maintain 210 knots or greater.
ATC: 210 knots or greater, 703.
ATC: Qatari 703 heavy, heading 310.
Pilot: Heading 310, 703.
ATC: Qatari 703 heavy, turn right heading 340.
Pilot: Heading 340, 703.
{ts:335}
Pilot: 703, Qatari 73 heavy, go ahead. Do you have any traffic behind us for the same runway?
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, negative.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, speed is your discretion.
Pilot: Our discretion, 73.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, nine miles from CRYSTAL, turn right heading 020. Maintain 2,000 until established localizer. Cleared ILS four left approach.
Pilot: Right heading 020, cleared ILS four left approach, maintain 2,000, 703.
ATC: Qatari 73 heavy, contact tower 119.1, have a great day.
Pilot: 119.1, 73 heavy, thank you, you too.
{ts:381}
Pilot: Tower, 73 heavy, establishing four left.
ATC: 703 heavy, can you turn runway four left, continue?
Pilot: Continue four left, 703. Just to inform you, we probably will vacate at the end of the runway due to our low tire pressure.
ATC: 703 heavy, roger.
ATC: 703 heavy, information: couple of departures depart 13 right prior to your arrival. Thank you, 703.
Pilot: Runway four left, 703.
ATC: Four left cleared to land, 703.
ATC: Traffic 800 feet, 703 heavy, traffic is outside of the BRA 172.
ATC: 703 heavy, the exit is your discretion. Fox or Yankee Alpha to the left is available. If you can—
Pilot: Trying Fox, 703 heavy.
ATC: If you can turn left on Fox, or if you need to stop straight ahead, that is approved.
Pilot: We’re vacating here Fox, Qatari 73, thank you.
ATC: Can you taxi under your own power and are you able to do so, Qatari 73 heavy?
Pilot: Able, 703 heavy. Thank you very much.
ATC: 703 heavy, roger, you can taxi right on Bravo, hold short of taxiway Whiskey. Do you require any further assistance?
Pilot: Fox to Bravo and hold short of Whiskey, no, so far it looks everything is okay, 73.
ATC: 703 heavy, roger. You can contact 121.9 for further taxi.
Pilot: 121.9 for further taxi, 73. Thank you very much.
This incident highlights the risk of miscommunication between control centers. A clear and early request was made, but the lack of follow-through forced the crew to re-explain their situation during a critical phase of flight.
ATC responded professionally once informed, but the delay could have created confusion in a more time-sensitive emergency.
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The post Qatar Airways 777 Pilots Requests longer Runway at New York JFK appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
