Update: Flights Cancelled After Emergency Landing

Some flights are cancelled this morning after the mail plane had to make an emergency return to the island last night due to a hydraulic leak.

The plane left Ronaldsway just after 8.20pm and, after turning back over the Irish Sea, landed back at just after 8.50pm.

The aircraft landed safely however this has caused the easyJet Manchester outbound and Gatwick inbound and outbound flights to be cancelled.

Update from the Airport this morning: ‘Last night the mail plane upon take-off encountered a serious hydraulic issue. It turned around and landed as a full emergency at 20:30. Upon landing it lost steering and developed potential brake issues so the crew bought it to a safe stop, this unfortunately blocking the runway. In the process of landing a large amount of hydraulic oil was also deposited on the runway. The AAIB ( Air Accidents Investigation Branch) were informed and the aircraft quarantined (not able to be recovered in case a full investigation is required) for review.

‘With the level of hydraulic oil on the runway and the quarantining of the aircraft, a decision to cancel the remaining flights was taken. The aircraft was released from quarantine at about 22:30. The airport with support from other DoI members and the Private Jet Centre then deployed a range of assets and the aircraft was safely removed off the runway for further recovery work (when specialist parts can be transported from the UK). After the aircraft was removed, a team were deployed through the night to inspect the runway and clear up the extensive amount of oil, the runway reopened around 06:40.’