Plane overruns runway at Aberdeen airport

FLIGHTS at Aberdeen airport have resumed after an air ambulance flight overran the main runway during landing.

Flights were suspended after the incident. Picture: BAA

The runway reopened at 2pm following a closure of around two hours with the airport expecting delays while the backlog of flights is dealt with.

The incident involved an aircraft operated by Farnborough-based Gama Aviation.

Fire crews and paramedics were alerted but none of those on board the aircraft were injured.

A spokeswoman for Aberdeen International Airport said: “The incident involved an aircraft from Gama Aviation who carry out air ambulance service flights and was on an air ambulance flight. It would appear to have gone off the runway during landing.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said the aircraft, operated by Gama Aviation, had gone off the runway while taxi-ing after landing shortly before noon.

He said: “The plane was coming in from a routine non-emergency transfer from Shetland. It appears to have come off the runway while taxiing after landing. There are no injuries to anyone on board and the patient was quickly and safely transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as planned.”

A spokeswoman for Gama Aviation, said the incident was not being investigated.

She said: “Today at 11:49am a Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft, operated on behalf of the Scottish Air Ambulance by Gama Aviation Ltd, undertook a normal landing at Aberdeen Airport, following a routine patient transfer from Lerwick. Whilst entering the taxiway, the aircraft experienced steering difficulties and departed the runway onto the grass.

“The aircraft was carrying two flight crew members, one Scottish Air Ambulance paramedic, one patient and one patient escort, none of whom were injured. There was no damage to the aircraft.

“Gama Aviation is now undertaking a full investigation.”