Emergency services were dispatched to Hawarden Airport in Flintshire, North Wales, on July 18, 2026, after a light aircraft flipped over on the runway. The incident was reported at 3:10 PM, prompting crews from Buckley, Deeside, and Wrexham to attend the scene.
Incident Details
Footage from the scene shows at least three fire engines on the runway, with a light aircraft appearing upside down on the tarmac. A crane was used to lift the aircraft onto a platform. A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's control room told the Mirror: "Crews from Buckley, Deeside and Wrexham were called to a light aircraft incident at Airbus UK, Hawarden Airport, Flintshire at 15:10 on 18.07.2026."
Witness Account
Martyn John Wulfran captured footage of the aircraft's recovery and shared it on X, stating: "Emergency services and airport officials have been dealing with a plane that has apparently flipped over on the runway at Hawarden Airport. The aircraft is currently being recovered at the scene of today's incident at Hawarden Airport."
Airbus UK's Role at Hawarden
Airbus UK is headquartered at Hawarden Airport, where it operates its main aircraft wing manufacturing facility. Wings for all commercial Airbus models are produced at this site, which also serves as a base for the Airbus Beluga fleet. The site is described as a "key hub in the global aerospace industry" and is responsible for transporting oversized aerospace components. The Beluga, with its distinctive whale-like shape, is specifically designed to carry massive aircraft parts such as wings and fuselage sections.
The Mirror has approached the fire service's press office for a full statement, and Hawarden Airport has also been contacted for comment.
