A Ryanair flight carrying passengers from Manchester was involved in a dramatic incident on Thursday morning after skidding off the runway upon landing at Aberdeen International Airport.
Passengers Evacuated Safely After Runway Excursion
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operating as flight FR3489, landed at Aberdeen shortly after 7:30 am. During the landing roll, the plane left the paved surface of the runway. All 168 passengers and six crew members on board were safely evacuated using the aircraft's emergency slides. Emergency services, including fire crews and ambulances, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Initial reports and passenger accounts describe a sudden jolt and the deployment of the slides. One passenger told reporters they felt a "big bump" before the plane came to a stop on the grass. Images from the scene showed the jet stationary on the grass adjacent to the runway, with its slides deployed and emergency vehicles surrounding it.
Airport Operations Disrupted and Investigation Launched
The incident caused significant disruption at Aberdeen International Airport. The runway was temporarily closed to allow for the recovery of the aircraft and initial investigations, leading to the cancellation and diversion of several other flights. Airport authorities worked to minimise the impact on travel schedules throughout the day.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified and is expected to lead a formal probe into the causes of the runway excursion. Both Ryanair and the airport have stated they are fully cooperating with the authorities. An initial focus will likely be on the weather conditions at the time of landing and the aircraft's technical status.
A spokesperson for Ryanair confirmed the safety of all on board and stated that the airline was providing assistance to affected passengers. They emphasised that the priority was the care of customers and crew following the unsettling event.
Context and Previous Safety Record
While any incident of this nature is serious, it is important to note that no serious injuries have been reported. Runway excursions, where an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway during landing or takeoff, are a known risk in aviation but are typically managed with strict safety protocols.
Ryanair, as one of Europe's largest low-cost carriers, maintains a large fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The Boeing 737-800, the model involved in this incident, is a workhorse of short-haul aviation globally. The outcome of the AAIB investigation will be crucial for understanding the specific factors that led to this event at Aberdeen.
Passengers booked on subsequent Ryanair flights from Aberdeen were advised to check the status of their travel directly with the airline, as some delays and disruptions continued into the afternoon while the investigation commenced.
