A full emergency was declared at Aberdeen International Airport after an outbound plane experienced a mid-flight scare today.
The Eastern Airways Jetstream-41 plane with 31 passengers on board was forced to turn back after departing Aberdeen for Newcastle due to an unknown fault.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and firefighters are said to have been dousing down the aircraft following the landing.
The runway was shut between 4.45pm and 5.15pm as a consequence, and arriving flights asked not to land.
A police spokesman said the scare might have been caused by either a hydraulic or fuel leak on the aircraft.
An airport spokeswoman said: “It was departing Aberdeen to Newcastle but turned back, it had 31 passengers on board.
“It landed as part of standard procedure and it took a few minutes to assess the aircraft and because of that the runway was temporarily unavailable.
“I believe it will be assessed by engineers and a decision made.”
Another spokesman for the airport said the runway had been closed to “make sure everything was safe” on board the plane.
A fire and rescue spokeswoman said that two crews were sent from North Anderson Drive and Dyce at 4.40pm, but added that the situation is now in the hands of the airport fire service.
She added: “We had two appliances there. We have got one appliance still there assisting the airport fire service. We just got a call saying there was an emergency at the airport.
“The only thing they used was a hearth kit. We got the call at 4.40pm.”
The runway has now been reopened.
A police spokesman said they were called to the incident at 4.40pm.
He added: “We have stood down, I think it is just being dealt with by the airport management now. It was an inbound flight, I think there was a hydraulic leak or a fuel leak.”
It is thought the plane will now remain in Aberdeen to be inspected.
More to follow.
Easternair jetstreem evacuated on taxi way at Aberdeen airport, fire retardent being sprayed on engine
— Mark Schons (@Synth_FG) February 18, 2015
Easternair jetstreem evacuated on taxi way at Aberdeen airport, fire retardent being sprayed on engine
— Mark Schons (@Synth_FG) February 18, 2015
RT @Synth_FG: Easternair jetstreem evacuated on taxi way at Aberdeen airport, fire retardent being sprayed on engine @airlivenet
— Trousers (@Lord_Trousers) February 18, 2015