Inquiry after pilot warns passengers to be prepared for a ‘jalfrezi’ landing
A PILOT about to land in turbulent conditions warned passengers it would be ‘spicy – on a curry level of jalfrezi’.
Flybe is currently investigating after a plane from Manchester had to abort its first landing attempt before a second successful landing resulted in a possible ‘tail strike’ – when the plane’s tail hits the runway.
Passenger Matt Fisher was on flight BE-353 to Newquay in Cornwall to hear the captain’s unusual warning.
He said: “The pilot warned us that the landing would be a bit ‘spicy’ – he said on a curry level it would be a jalfrezi.
“But it was much spicier than that.
“The pilot had to abort the first landing and then he came in for the second landing and hit the runway very hard.
“When he aborted the first landing we knew we were in safe hands. There was no real fear until we hit the deck.
“There were lots of gasps and nervous laughter.”
He added: “I was under the impression that one of the passengers was hurt during the landing, but I can’t be sure.”
The flight, he said, had already been delayed taking off from Manchester. The slot was moved from 10.20am to 11.55am. It landed in Newquay at around 1.30pm.
Matt added: “When we were picking up our bags we saw that the next flight was delayed due to technical problems. Then the flight was cancelled entirely.”
Matt was on his way home to Newquay on the flight and is a regular user of the airline.
He said: “Taking off and landing was turbulent, but it was fine during the cruise because we were above it.”
A spokesman for Newquay Airport said: “We can confirm that there has been a ground incident at Cornwall Airport Newquay.
“The incident is currently being investigated.”
A spokesman for Flybe said: “Flybe can confirm it is investigating a possible tail strike that occurred on landing in adverse weather conditions at Cornwall Newquay Airport earlier today.
“All 56 passengers disembarked safely as normal when the aircraft arrived on stand.”
Jalfrezi is a hot curry made with green chillies, peppers, onion and tomatoes.