Emergency services were quickly mobilized at Belfast City Airport on December 22, 2024, following a hard landing incident involving an ATR 72-600 (Reg. G-CMMK) operated by Emerald Airlines on behalf of Aer Lingus Regional. The aircraft, which was on a positioning flight EAG7P from Edinburgh with no passengers but four crew members on board, experienced a nose gear collapse upon landing around 4 PM local time.
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The incident led to the immediate closure of the airport's runway, causing significant disruptions to flight schedules. Images from the scene depict the aircraft with its nose resting on the tarmac, flanked by fire appliances. The hard landing was attributed to adverse weather conditions, specifically strong gusts of wind that have been affecting the region. No injuries were reported among the crew, who were assessed at the scene by emergency services as a precautionary measure. Belfast City Airport's emergency procedures were promptly enacted, with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) deploying four appliances, a Specialist Rescue Team, a Command Support Unit, and officers to manage the situation. By 4:34 PM, NIFRS had scaled back its response but maintained one appliance and three officers at the scene to assist with the aftermath.
The runway closure meant that all flights in and out of Belfast City Airport were canceled for the rest of the day. Several flights were diverted to Belfast International Airport, including a British Airways service from London City and an Aer Lingus flight from Leeds Bradford. However, the latter airport also warned of its limited capacity due to an already heavy schedule, potentially affecting further diversions.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified and has launched an investigation into the incident. Inspectors from the AAIB are expected to examine the aircraft and gather data to determine the exact causes of the hard landing and subsequent gear collapse. Meanwhile, Emerald Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the incident and attributing it to the challenging weather conditions, apologizing for the inconvenience caused to passengers. Passengers due to travel to or from Belfast City Airport were advised to contact their airlines for updates. The airport confirmed that it would not reopen until at least the following morning, allowing time for the aircraft to be cleared from the runway. This incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with aviation, particularly during adverse weather, and underscores the importance of emergency response readiness at airports.