Terrifying moment packed Boeing 777 jet scrapes its tail hundreds of yards along Italian runway in cloud of smoke before hero pilots avert disaster that could have 'killed everyone on board'

This is the heart-in-mouth moment a Boeing 777 jet packed with passengers scraped its tail hundreds of metres along an Italian runway. 

The 777 jet, part of the Chilean airline Latam's fleet, was seen dragging its tail along the runway of Milan Malpensa Airport, in northern Italy, on Tuesday. 

Video footage showed the plane, which can carry more than 500 passengers at a time, unable to lift off as smoke and debris fly behind it during the failed take-off. 

Corriere reported that passengers also saw sparks come off the plane, which was set to fly to Sao Paulo in Brazil, as it dragged itself across the runway. 

The pilot was someone able to get the plane off the ground, but was asked to land it for an immediate inspection. 

Data from FlightRadar shows the plane, which flew under the code LA8073, looped around the airport nine times before landing again. 

The 777 jet, part of the Chilean airline Latam's fleet, was seen dragging its tail along the runway of Milan Malpensa Airport, in northern Italy

Video footage showed the plane, which can carry more than 500 passengers at a time, unable to lift off as smoke and debris fly behind it during the failed take-off

The plane is currently grounded at Milan Malpensa, local media reported. 

Italian authorities are still investigating the incident, and are in communication with 'investigative authorities of Brazil and the US.'

Boeing has been forced under a harsh limelight for a string of serious failures. Earlier this week, the company announced it plans to plead guilty to fraud in connection with approval of its 737 Max before two of the planes crashed, killing 346 people off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia.

The American aerospace giant has apparently made the calculation that admitting to a crime is better than fighting the charge and enduring a long public trial.

In a legal filing late Sunday - minutes before a midnight deadline - the Justice Department disclosed the agreement and said the fraud charge was 'the most serious readily provable offense' it could bring against Boeing.

Prosecutors say Boeing will pay another $243.6million fine, matching a fine it paid in 2021 for the same crime.

The Justice Department says a conviction for fraud will hold Boeing accountable for 'misstatements' it made to regulators who certified the 737 Max in 2017.

The crashes took place less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019.

The company still faces investigations into the blowout of a panel from an Alaska Airlines Max plane in January, increased oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration, and accusations from current and former employees about poor workmanship and retaliation against whistleblowers.

Boeing's plea deal would bring the total to $487.2million, which the Justice Department says is the legal maximum for the fraud charge.

The deal also requires the company to invest at least $455million to improve safety.

It will be on court-supervised probation for three years, and the Justice Department will name an independent monitor to oversee Boeing's compliance with terms of the plea agreement.

Boeing's board of directors will also be required to meet with families of the victims.