A BOEING plane with close to 300 passengers has been forced to abort take-off after its landing gear erupted into flames – causing two wheels to explode.

Etihad Airways flight EY461 bound for Abu Dhabi was close to take-off at Melbourne Airport when the terrifying scenes unfolded.

Footage posted to social media shows the plane on the tarmac surrounded by fire services.

Emergency workers deployed firefighting foam as a precaution in the terrifying incident.

A passenger on board told 3AW that the plane “had to slam on the emergency brakes” during take-off.

The Boeing 787 jet has two deflated wheels while currently remaining stuck on the runway which has been closed.

The 289 passengers on board have since disembarked from the Boeing plane.

There are no reports of any injuries.

The emergency has reportedly led to extensive delays in departures and arrivals at Melbourne Airport.

A Melbourne Airport spokesperson told The Sun: “Etihad Airways flight EY461 rejected take off this evening when departing Melbourne Airport for Abu Dhabi.

“The Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service responded to a request from the aircraft and deployed fire fighting foam as a precaution.

“Due to damage to the aircraft’s tyres, we have been unable to tow it off the runway.

“Repairs are currently underway. All passengers have disembarked the aircraft and have been bussed to the terminal.

“We continue to have one runway available for operations, which will be used for all arrivals and departures. Disruptions to other flights have been minimal.”

Etihad Airways have been approached for comment.

In Australia too, two top pilots have been killed in a horror plane crash after plunging into the sea as a witness reveals their tragic final moments.

Mark White, 67, and Simon Peutrill, 69, were killed yesterday on board the Sting S4.

The plane left Coffs Harbour, Australia, around 3:30pm and was headed for South West Rocks – but never made it.

It lost control within 30 minutes of flying and crashed into the ocean.

One witness told 9 News that he heard the plane before it crashed.

He said: “[I] heard the plane actually go over home, which was very low.

“I knew that’s not right considering we don’t get much plane action around here.

“The engine was very low revving – it sounded as though it was struggling for power.”

What went wrong or how the two pilots lost control is being investigated.

White ran a flying school called Midcoast Microlights that operated out of Coffs Harbour.

Peutrill joined the school in 2022.

The second body was tragically recovered today amidst difficult conditions near Scott’s Head Beach, NSW chief inspector Stuart Campbell told media.