EMERGENCY services rushed to Belfast City Airport today after an Emerald Airlines plane’s landing gear collapsed on touch down.
It is understood the nose section collapsed after a hard landing at George Best Airport amid strong winds.
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Emerald Airlines plane’s landing gear collapses on touchdown Credit: Pacemaker Press
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The incident was caused by strong windsCredit: Pacemaker Press
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The runway at Belfast City Airport will be closed for the rest of the day due to the incidentCredit: Pacemaker Press
The landing gear is used during take-off, landing or taxiing and is the main support of the aircraft with the nose gear supporting the front of the aircraft.
The incident happened around 4 pm when the Emerald Airlines plane landed from Edinburgh.
Due to the hard landing, the turboprop plane crashed on the runway.
Emergency services remain at the scene and the runway will remain closed for the rest of the day, with delays expected at the airport.
Emerald Airlines, which started operations in 2022, operates Aer Lingus’ regional routes.
A company spokesperson confirmed that there were no passengers on the plane at the time of the incident.
However, four crew members were on board at the time.
A spokesman said: “Emerald Airlines position flight EA701P, with no passengers, flying from Edinburgh to Belfast City Airport on 22 December 2024, experienced a difficult landing on arrival at Belfast City Airport due to adverse weather conditions.”
A spokesman for Belfast City Airport urged passengers to contact their airline.
They said: “At around 4pm today, Sunday 22 December, an Aer Lingus regional flight operated by Emerald Airlines had an incident while landing at Belfast City Airport.
Watch the terrifying moment an Aer Lingus plane lands sideways at Dublin Airport in 90km/h gusts from Storm Kathleen
“This was a positioning scramble with no passengers but 4 crew. Emergency airport procedures were implemented.
“The runway is currently closed and will remain closed for the rest of the day. Passengers are asked to contact their airline.”
Due to the incident, several flights were diverted to Belfast International Airport.
These include a British Airways flight from London City and an Aer Lingus flight from Leeds Bradford.
FIGHT TO HELP
A spokesman for Belfast International Airport said the plane had received four diverted flights, but that it would be difficult to accommodate more.
“Because we have a tighter schedule than usual, we are now, with these additional flights, close to capacity so we are limited in how many more diverted flights we can take tonight, but we will continue to provide support wherever possible,” they said.
“Given the circumstances, our teams on the ground are working to assist with these additional flights as soon as possible,”
“We ask passengers for their patience as we support each additional flight.”
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A number of flights were diverted from the airport as a result of the incidentCredit: Pacemaker Press
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A spokesman for Belfast City Airport urged passengers to contact their airlineCredit: Photopress Belfast
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