Plane wheels lifted from the ground in collision

The wheels of a Loganair aircraft were lifted off the ground when a former Flybe plane ran into it while manoeuvring at Aberdeen Airport.

The incident happened at about 6pm on Tuesday while the Bombardier Q400 was about to be flown from the airport, where it had been stored since Flybe collapsed in March.

The Loganair Embraer 145 was empty at the time and there were no injuries.

It is understood the incident happened shortly after pilots who were taking the Bombardier plane away had started to manoeuvre once it had pushed back from its parking stand.

Loganair said it did not expect any disruption to flights as spare aircraft were available.

A Loganair spokesperson said: “A Loganair regional jet, parked with no passengers or crew members aboard, was hit by a former Flybe Bombardier Q400 aircraft, which we understand was being prepared for departure after being stored at Aberdeen Airport.

“The nose of the Q400 impacted the rear port side of the Embraer, becoming lodged underneath and lifting the right main gear off the ground. The most important thing is that no-one was injured in the incident, with the crew working on the exflybe aircraft being safe and well, yet understandably shaken by the occurrence.

“The airport’s fire services were in attendance and the [UK Department for Transport’s] Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified.

“A recovery operation for the aircraft is already in hand.

“We do not expect this unfortunate occurrence will lead to any disruption to customers on Loganair flights from Aberdeen as we have standby aircraft available to fulfil our schedule.”

A spokesperson for Aberdeen Airport said: “At approximately 6pm on Tuesday, a former Flybe aircraft, which was being prepared for departure, came into contact with a parked Loganair Embraer 145 regional jet.

“There were no passengers on either aircraft, no-one was injured and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is now carrying out an investigation.”

An AAIB spokesperson said: “Following an incident at Aberdeen Airport, the AAIB is making initial enquiries, and at this stage there is no further comment.”