An aircraft carrying more than 60 people had to turn back after take-off from London City airport this morning because part of its wing fell off mid-flight.
The pilot had to abort the CityJet flight to Florence and circle the Thames estuary before landing again at the airport with a badly burned wing, the Telegraph reported
After take-off at about 7.25am today, passengers heard a loud bang and a section of the left wing, approximately six-foot long, detached from the plane.
Emergency services were called to the Avro RJ85 once it landed on the runway. Passengers said the wing and part of the aircraft looked badly burned.
Cole Moreton, a features writer at the Sunday Telegraph, was on board the flight and described the confusion as passengers told cabin crew, who appeared to alert the pilot.
“The bang made people jump and was alarming, then we sat there thinking this isn’t right, surely?” he said.
“Does the pilot know? But we didn’t appear to be crashing. So there was a tense few minutes while we circled and waited for an announcement.
“Relief to get back on the ground, seriousness sunk in when we saw emergency services scrambled and lights flashing.”
A replacement aircraft was found and the flight took off about an hour later.
A CityJet spokesman said: “The flight had just taken off from London City airport on its way to Florence when the cover of the operating mechanism on the wing became partially detached.
“The crew followed their standard procedures and, after a discussion with CityJet maintenance control, decided to return to London City airport.
“Air traffic control were notified and the aircraft returned making a normal approach and landing.
“Passengers were re-directed on another aircraft and departed with a two hour delay.”