Part 4/7:
As Flight 2220 prepared to land, the situation escalated. The crew suspected that the nose wheel had turned sideways—a phenomenon previously encountered by the airline industry, leading to dangerous situations. In response, the pilots opted to perform a low pass over the runway for visual confirmation. Observations confirmed their suspicions; the nose landing gear was indeed turned 90 degrees.
With a genuine risk to both the aircraft and lives aboard, the pilots declared a Mayday, significantly increasing the urgency of their landing procedures. Briefed on the situation, the cabin crew prepared for potential evacuations, underscoring the critical interplay between communication and safety protocols.