Overview of the Incident
On the evening of December 22, 2024, an ATR72-600 aircraft operated by Emerald Airlines under the Aer Lingus Regional brand experienced a nose gear collapse during a hard landing at Belfast City Airport. This incident led to the temporary closure of the airport, significantly impacting operations and disrupting the travel plans of hundreds of passengers during the busy Christmas period.
Flight Details and Circumstances Leading to the Incident
The aircraft involved was on a positioning flight from Edinburgh Airport to Belfast City Airport. Typically, a positioning flight carries no passengers and is used to reposition the aircraft for operational needs. The flight, designated as EA701P, was carrying four crew members: two pilots and two cabin crew. The flight was necessitated by earlier adverse weather conditions that redirected the aircraft from its intended destination at Glasgow Airport to Edinburgh.
Emerald Airlines operates under a franchise agreement with Aer Lingus Regional, flying a network of domestic and European routes. The aircraft involved was registered under Emerald Airlines’ UK-based entity, which holds a separate Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
Description of the Landing and Immediate Response
The ATR72 descended into Belfast amid strong winds and landed at 16:06 local time. The landing was unusually rough, with the aircraft making a nose-down pitch upon touchdown. This abnormal positioning resulted in excessive stress on the nose landing gear, leading to its collapse. The aircraft subsequently slid to a halt on the runway, prompting an immediate response from the airport’s emergency services.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) dispatched multiple units to the scene, including four appliances and a specialist rescue team. Their efforts focused on securing the scene and ensuring the safety of the crew and emergency responders.
Impact on Airport Operations and Passenger Travel
The incident caused significant disruptions at Belfast City Airport. All departures were halted, and incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports. Several airlines, including Aer Lingus Regional, KLM, British Airways, and easyJet, had to adjust their schedules, affecting passengers traveling to destinations such as Amsterdam, London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool.
The airport was able to resume normal operations the following morning, December 23, after the disabled aircraft was removed from the runway. However, the closure had a ripple effect, impacting the travel plans of hundreds of passengers.
Historical Context and Safety Review
This incident occurred almost one year after another similar event involving an Emerald Airlines ATR72 at Belfast City Airport. In the previous occurrence, the aircraft also suffered damage to its nose landing gear during a hard landing, albeit under different circumstances. These consecutive incidents highlight potential areas for review in the airline’s operational and safety protocols, particularly under adverse weather conditions.
Both aircraft involved were leased from Aer Cap and were approximately nine years old at the time of their respective incidents. The repeated issues with the nose landing gear in similar models could indicate a need for further investigation into the aircraft’s design and maintenance practices.