Flybe plane which ran off Inverness Airport runway "skidded", airline confirms
A FLYBE plane which ran off the runway at Inverness Airport this morning, halting all inbound and outbound flights, "skidded" on the Tarmac.
The airline confirmed that the Bombardier Q400 twin propeller aircraft slipped on the runway while taxiing. The plane had been travelling from Manchester.
Fifty-two passengers and crew were onboard at the time of the accident, at around 10.15am. No-one was injured.
A spokesman for Flybe said: “We can confirm that, when taxiing at low speed at the end of the runway having landed safely at Inverness Airport this morning, the wheels of the Q400 aircraft skidded on the surface of the airfield causing it to slide onto the grass.
“The 48 passengers and four crew were unharmed and exited the aircraft by the stairs for bus transfer to the terminal where they collected their luggage as normal.
“The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline’s number one priority and Flybe regrets any inconvenience experienced as a result of this incident.“
The accident occurred after the coldest night of the winter so far. Temperatures in parts of the Highlands fell to -12C overnight amid yellow Met Office weather warnings for widespread ice.
Police say that the airport is currently closed but Highland and Islands Airports have advised all passengers to travel to the airport and check-in as normal for any afternoon flights.
An investigation into the circumstances of this incident is being carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Branch.
Highlands and Islands Aiports, meanwhile, has stressed that it could not speculate on the cause but added that its standard winter treatment operations were in effect at the time.
"Inverness Airport opened this morning following the standard winter operations processes and the runway and taxiway surfaces were prepared for aircraft operations in accordance with our licensing requirements," said a spokesman.
"There is no indication that there were any issues with the runway or taxiway surface conditions, following a number of early morning arrivals and departures.
"As this incident is subject to investigation we cannot speculate on the cause at this point in time.
"The airport is closed to aircraft movements until 2.15pm, passengers should check in as normal and contact their airlines for further information."
