A Ryanair flight from Sicily to Milan Malpensa Airport declared an emergency after landing gear issues triggered a maximum alert response with fire crews scrambled
A Ryanair aircraft declared an emergency mid-flight before a technical fault sparked a “maximum alert” response.
The Ryanair service from Sicily to Milan Malpensa Airport on Thursday evening encountered landing gear problems. Flight FR1071 took off at 9.53pm local time, and almost instantly after departure it transmitted a Squawk 7700, indicating a general emergency to air traffic controllers.
Nevertheless, the Boeing 737-800 pressed on with its journey and ascended to 36,000ft, AirLive reports. The crew were monitoring the technical problem whilst in communication with regional controllers.
The aircraft remained airborne for approximately an hour.
Yet, during the approach into Milan, the captain was compelled to notify the Malpensa control tower of a landing gear malfunction. The airport responded by activating the “maximum alert” protocol as fire engines, ambulances and support vehicles rushed to intercept the aircraft, reports the Mirror.
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Fortunately, moments before the aircraft touched down, the landing gear extended and secured. It landed without incident and the emergency response was stood down.
The plane was towed to a stand for a comprehensive technical examination to establish the cause of the initial failure indication.
This follows after a British Airways aircraft bound for the UK declared an emergency due to an urgent medical situation onboard.
Flight BA78 left Kotoka International Airport in Ghana at 10.25pm local time on Sunday but was compelled to make an unexpected landing in Lyon, France.
The flight crew issued a Squawk 7700 – the international code for a general emergency – whilst travelling at an altitude of 38,000ft. The aircraft diverted straight away to the closest airport so the passenger could receive medical attention.
The Airbus A350-1000 landed safely at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport at 5.26am local time today.
It stayed on the runway for two hours for refuelling before departing once more and continuing to Heathrow.