Another Air Disaster averted at Gatwick Airport

A Virgin Atlantic passenger plane landed safely at London Gatwick Airport after reporting technical issues with part of its main landing gear.

 

The aircraft, VS043 with 447 passengers and 15 crew was traveling from Gatwick to Las Vegas when it was forced to make a return.

 

The Boeing 747 circled over Devon and Sussex in Southern England for hours to burn off fuel before making a bumpy but safe landing by 4pm Nigerian time.

 

The Gatwick runway was shut causing delays and flights to be diverted to other airports.

 

Pictures on twitter showed the aircraft circling with part of its main landing gear not fully extended.

Eyewitnesses reported that the jet was flying at relatively low attitude and the pilot appeared to be trying to ‘’shake’’ the landing gear down.  Ambulances and fire and rescue crews had been on standby as the plane circled the airport for hours.

 

A statement from Gatwick Airport reads. ‘’Virgin Atlantic flight VS043 has landed safely after returning to Gatwick due to a technical fault.  Following the emergency landing, passengers have disembarked the aircraft via stairs.

‘’The runway has been closed until the aircraft can be removed from the runway and based on current predictions it is not expected to reopen until at least 18.00.  Currently no fights are departing Gatwick and inbound flights are being diverted to other airports. 

‘’We advised passengers to check with their airlines on the status of their flight.  Updates will also be posted on the Gatwick website and on twitter.’’