Plane Emergency Shuts Belfast City Airport Amid Strong Winds
In a dramatic turn of events, Belfast City Airport was forced to halt all operations on Sunday evening after an Aer Lingus regional plane experienced a severe landing incident. The aircraft, operated by Emerald Airlines, was completing a "positioning flight" from Edinburgh to Belfast when strong winds caused its nose wheel to collapse upon landing. Fortunately, no passengers were on board, and the four crew members escaped without injury.
The incident occurred around 4:00 PM, prompting the airport to declare a full emergency. Emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance crews, swiftly arrived at the scene. Fire Service Area Commander David Doherty reported that while a significant response was dispatched, no immediate intervention was necessary, and resources were redeployed after the site was deemed secure.
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This unexpected closure disrupted travel plans for many, as flights into and out of the airport were canceled for the evening. At least four flights were diverted to Belfast International Airport, which soon reported nearing capacity due to its already busy schedule. Some other flights were redirected to Dublin Airport, which dispatched a recovery team to assist in removing the damaged plane from the runway.
The adverse weather conditions that contributed to the incident were not isolated to Belfast. Across the UK, heavy winds disrupted various modes of transport. Gusts reaching up to 75 mph led to flight cancellations, train delays, and warnings from the Met Office about icy roads and hazardous travel conditions.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an inquiry into the incident, deploying inspectors to assess the situation. This comprehensive investigation will aim to uncover the exact causes of the plane's hard landing and ensure similar incidents are avoided in the future.
For now, travelers are urged to check with their airlines and monitor updates from Belfast City Airport as teams work to restore operations. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by unpredictable weather, especially during peak travel periods.
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