Plane skids off runway after landing at Inverness airport

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/19/plane-skids-off-runway-landing-inverness-airport

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A plane with 51 people on board has skidded off the runway after landing at Inverness airport.

Flybe flight BE202 from Manchester slid on to the grass at the airport at about 10.14am on Monday.

The 47 passengers and four crew members were not injured and left the aircraft by the stairs before being transferred to the terminal.

Inverness airport has been closed for a few hours to allow the plane to be removed, causing disruption to some flights.

A Flybe spokeswoman said: “Flybe can confirm that when taxiing at low speed at the end of the runway, having landed safely at Inverness airport this morning, the wheels of the Q400 aircraft skidded on the surface of the airfield, causing it to slide on to the grass.

“The 47 passengers and four crew were unharmed and exited the aircraft by the stairs for bus transfer to the terminal, where they collected their luggage as normal.

“The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline’s number one priority and Flybe regrets any inconvenience experienced as a result of this incident.”

The airport fire service went to the scene, as is routine, but its services were not needed. Passengers have been advised to travel to the airport and check in as normal for any afternoon flights but to expect delays.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is carrying out an inquiry into the incident.