An investigation has been launched
21:49, 06 Aug 2025Updated 22:00, 06 Aug 2025
An eye-witness captured the plane left stranded on the Birmingham Airport runway(Image: @SpursSingh)
One of the UK’s busiest airports has reopened – after being shut for over five hours. Birmingham International Airport said they were forced to close down the runway following an ‘aircraft incident’.
Air industry watchers have said that a Beech B2000 Super King G-NIAA, flying to Belfast transmitted emergency code 7700 before making a crash-landing on the runway. Pilots made the hasty manoeuvre shortly after take-off, once they realised their landing gear was not functioning properly.
West Midlands Police say the incident occurred at around 1.40pm. Emergency workers from West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Fire Service also attended the scene.
Three people from the small aircraft, which was carrying two crew and one passenger, were treated on the runway. Only one individual is said to have suffered minor injuries from the accident.
Meanwhile, passengers suffered serious delays as dozens of flights were either postponed, rerouted or cancelled. Birmingham Airport has apologised for the inconvenience.
In a post shared on social media, a Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “Following the aircraft incident today, the runway has reopened and operations have resumed.
“All passengers must check flight details with their airlines and follow the advice issued by them. We understand the frustration and apologise for the disruption this has caused.
“Our teams have worked as quickly as possible, in line with strict protocols, which must be followed to ensure a safe reopening of the runway following a prolonged closure.”
Woodcraft Aviation – who own the Beechcraft fixed-wing aircraft involved in today’s incident – addressed the situation in a statement shared with Sky News.
“The turbo-prop aircraft was on a flight to Belfast International Airport when it developed landing gear problems,” a spokesperson explained. “The aircraft returned to Birmingham and made an emergency landing and the main undercarriage collapsed on touchdown.
“Two crew members and a passenger were on board but were uninjured. The aircraft remains on the runway and Woodgate Aviation will be co-operating fully with air accident investigators and airport services.
“We would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of our colleagues and the emergency services at the airport for their prompt action.”
The Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) say they have launched an investigation into today’s incident.
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