Planes collide in city airport tarmac drama

Probe launched after incident involving passenger aircraft

TWO planes collided on the tarmac at Aberdeen International Airport last night.

An aircraft in the livery of Flybe was being readied for departure when it ran into the rear of a Loganair Embraer 145 regional flight. Only crew were on board the former, with the Loganair flight having disembarked its passengers and crew.

While shocked by the “unfortunate occurrence” they are understood to have been uninjured. A Loganair spokesman said they did not anticipate the incident causing any disruption for customers on flights from Aberdeen as they had other standby aircraft available.

The cause of the incident, which took place at about 6pm, is being looked into by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

The two aircraft remained cordoned off last night as emergency services and airport crew worked at the scene.

Air crew were left shaken last night after two planes collided on the tarmac at Aberdeen International Airport.

The incident involved a plane in the livery of the collapsed airline Flybe, which ran into the rear of a stationary Loganair aircraft. The latter had offloaded its passengers and no crew were on board when it was struck.

Crew on the ex-Flybe aircraft were said to have been left shaken by the “unfortunate occurrence” but were otherwise unhurt.

A Loganair spokesman said: “Just before 6pm, a Loganair Embraer 145 regional jet, parked with no passengers or crew 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.”

The spokesman added: “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.”

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been notified and is making initial inquiries.

Photograph by Kenny Elrick The aftermath of the Aberdeen Airport incident involving a Flybe and a Loganair aircraft.