Sit, Jumbo, Sit

We're at something of a loss to explain how this happened.

A United Airlines 747 headed for Tokyo diverted to San Francisco Monday with a hydraulic problem. The passengers were long gone eleven hours after the aircraft landed when its engines were being checked out by a crew of mechanics.

Then something rather odd happened. The aircraft tipped on its tail, nose up in the air, as if the center of gravity had suddenly ended up in the lavatories.

Authorities at SFO said something vague about a partial landing gear collapse, but weren't very specific. That language was mirrored (or perhaps originated) with United, as seen in the statement below.

Two technicians on board the aircraft at the time weren't hurt and on Tuesday, crews were set to drain the fuel tanks so they could slide a giant air bag under the plane's tail and right it again.

Personally, for its next trick, we're hoping they'll teach the 747 to roll over. You can do it, boy! Aw, c'mon. We have treats!

UAL Statement On SFO 747 Incident

While undergoing repairs at our San Francisco maintenance facility, a Boeing 747 aircraft was inadvertently damaged when its gear retracted, causing the tail to rest on the ground.

Aircraft maintenance technicians were in the process of troubleshooting a hydraulic issue at United's maintenance hangar. The hydraulic issue caused the plane to be returned to the airport on Monday. The flight was headed for Tokyo and returned safely to San Francisco.

We are in the process of inspecting the damage and the cause of the incident.

No one was injured, and repair work will begin on the aircraft immediately.

FMI: www.united.com